Moving in together

[SemiSweet2391]

I am thinking about merging all my chickens soon. We have two hens and seven chicks that are five (almost 6) weeks old. But I feel unsure about how to do it. My friend recommended I wait until the chicks are 3 months old, but I’ve also gotten advice to integrate them sooner.

Right now they are living in separate pens that are next to each other. They’ve been living next to each other for about three weeks. I did a supervised introduction today where I put the chicks in the run with the hens and I watched to make sure there was no bloodshed. It went ok I think. The chicks seemed scared, one hen was curious and the other was grumpy.

My questions are:
Should I merge them now or later?
What is the advantage of merging them sooner rather than later?
How do you mix them when there are this age?
How can I avoid anyone getting hurt?
How can I ensure the chicks get their chick food and the hens get their hens food?
Should the chicks sleep in the coop with the hens? How do I teach them to do that?

I guess this is more complicated than I expected! and I’m still really new to this. I appreciate your help!!

 

[smseverson]

I just went through this! I read in several places to wait until they were closer to 8 weeks before moving them in together. We have 2 older hens (one 2ish yrs and one is 6 yrs). We were going out of town for a week so decided that in the spirit of minimizing stress, for us and those coming in to check on them, we would wait until we returned and then they would be close to that 8 week mark. Despite my lack of patience, I'm SO glad we waited because the babies were much bigger and able to "hold their own" a bit better. I supervised while I tore down the contraptions we had made to keep them separated for a couple of weeks. For food, I also stressed about that but chose to do straight chick feed for everyone until the babies are old enough to transition. I have oyster shells for the two older girls (one is barely laying anymore) if needed but have had no issues at all. My only struggle now is bed time .. I just posted on this topic looking for advice. The 2yr old is blocking the coop door. UGH! Otherwise the integration went smooth. Excited for you! (I recommend waiting if you can - IMO)

 

[rosemarythyme]

The most important thing with integration is ample space and lots of clutter. If you can provide both, early integration is certainly an option, but you'd want to begin immediately if that's the plan.

I aim to complete integration by around 4 weeks. My integration from earlier this year: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...egrate-along-from-feed-store-to-coop.1617102/ and my full brooding and integration article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

Should I merge them now or later?
What is the advantage of merging them sooner rather than later?

Sooner takes advantage of the fact that chicks are faster, more agile, and small enough to hide in spots or escape through openings that hens cannot fit through.

How do you mix them when there are this age?
How can I avoid anyone getting hurt?

Provide a lot of clutter for hiding spots and ideally, chick-only zones where chicks can eat and drink and rest without hens getting to them.

How can I ensure the chicks get their chick food and the hens get their hens food?

Feed everyone whatever the youngest birds are eating and that won't be a concern.

Should the chicks sleep in the coop with the hens? How do I teach them to do that?

I personally don't move them into the coop until I know they can safely be in the run with the hens all day.

 

[Yardmom]

The younger the chicks the less attention the hens give them. Make sure to provide hiding places and multiple feeders and waters that are not in the same line of sight

 

[SemiSweet2391]

I just went through this! I read in several places to wait until they were closer to 8 weeks before moving them in together. We have 2 older hens (one 2ish yrs and one is 6 yrs). We were going out of town for a week so decided that in the spirit of minimizing stress, for us and those coming in to check on them, we would wait until we returned and then they would be close to that 8 week mark. Despite my lack of patience, I'm SO glad we waited because the babies were much bigger and able to "hold their own" a bit better. I supervised while I tore down the contraptions we had made to keep them separated for a couple of weeks. For food, I also stressed about that but chose to do straight chick feed for everyone until the babies are old enough to transition. I have oyster shells for the two older girls (one is barely laying anymore) if needed but have had no issues at all. My only struggle now is bed time .. I just posted on this topic looking for advice. The 2yr old is blocking the coop door. UGH! Otherwise the integration went smooth. Excited for you! (I recommend waiting if you can - IMO)

Thanks for your experience!! You’ll have to let me know what you learn about coop training!!

 

[SemiSweet2391]

The most important thing with integration is ample space and lots of clutter. If you can provide both, early integration is certainly an option, but you'd want to begin immediately if that's the plan.

I aim to complete integration by around 4 weeks. My integration from earlier this year: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...egrate-along-from-feed-store-to-coop.1617102/ and my full brooding and integration article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/


Sooner takes advantage of the fact that chicks are faster, more agile, and small enough to hide in spots or escape through openings that hens cannot fit through.

Provide a lot of clutter for hiding spots and ideally, chick-only zones where chicks can eat and drink and rest without hens getting to them.

Feed everyone whatever the youngest birds are eating and that won't be a concern.

I personally don't move them into the coop until I know they can safely be in the run with the hens all day.

Thank you so much for answering these questions! I’ve invested time, effort and love into these chicks and I don’t want to see them pecked to death by the older birds!! When they can play nicely in the run do I just start putting the chicks in the coop at night?

 

[SemiSweet2391]

The younger the chicks the less attention the hens give them. Make sure to provide hiding places and multiple feeders and waters that are not in the same line of sight

Thanks a million!!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Thank you so much for answering these questions! I’ve invested time, effort and love into these chicks and I don’t want to see them pecked to death by the older birds!! When they can play nicely in the run do I just start putting the chicks in the coop at night?

I integrate young, like @rosemarythyme . With all my integrations I have left it up to the chicks, they usually follow the bigs in aroung 5-6 weeks old and sleep on the floor of the coop until they decide to start roosting.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

I integrate young, like @rosemarythyme . With all my integrations I have left it up to the chicks, they usually follow the bigs in aroung 5-6 weeks old and sleep on the floor of the coop until they decide to start roosting.

Ok great. To integrate them now, would you recommend just putting the chicks in the adult’s run now? Or some other approach, like a few minutes one day then more time the next day etc?

 

[smseverson]

Thanks for your experience!! You’ll have to let me know what you learn about coop training!!

I hope I learn something!