New chicks and old chickens

[justsomeguync]

I have a Rhode Island Red rooster, two Red Star hens a year old, and three older light Brahma hens. I am getting 25 new chicks in a couple of weeks. I have built a new, bigger coop and run, much larger than the old one. Would it help everybody sort things out better if I wait to put the new chicks in the new coop first, then add the older chickens after they meet through the fence for a while?

I have never mixed old and young chickens before, some have told me the rooster may kill some of the new chicks, some have said the rooster will adopt the new chicks on sight. Also wondering if he will be trying to mount the chicks too early. If that will be the case, he will get gone (like his more aggressive brothers) as I have a few roosters in the new batch.

 

[ralleia]

It's hard to know how it will go.

I've always introduced new chicks to the flock by waiting until a hen (or hens) got broody. I would let her sit on eggs (but I've never been very successful with the incubating), and then time the chicks to arrive at the three-week point of her broodiness, about the time that the chicks would naturally hatch out.

A good-sized hen can handle a couple-dozen chicks for the mothering (though she can only handle about 14 eggs for incubating). I'd sneak a few of the chicks under her, and then the rest, and soon she's a proud momma of an instant flock. She keeps them warm, shows them what's good to eat, where to drink, when to go out, when to come in, and beats up any other hen that tries to hurt her babies.

I would be afraid of introducing chicks to an existing flock without a momma hen that is hormonally set to adopt them and protect them. My roosters have never bothered any new chicks, nor do I think that premature mounting is an issue.

 

[justsomeguync]

I have no broody hens, chicks have been ordered, so sneaking them in for another mother is not an option.

The rooster I have doesn't give me trouble, but if he is going to abuse the chicks, I will be getting rid of him the delicious way. I am hoping that the older hens (Brahmas) aren't a problem, but eating them won't bother me a lot either. I love my Red Star hens, they are pretty docile and I don't see them having a problem with new chickens. The Brahmas were added a few months ago, the Red Stars didn't give them a lot of grief.

 

[pattgal]

my rooster protects the chicks, I'm really impressed with him. mine were accidents though, completely unplanned
I have a few ordered right now...a broody hen sitting on 13 eggs, and I have no idea when these chicks will come in. It should be an interesting experience
at worst I guess i'll have to keep the new guy's in the house until they are ready, because I'l really want these eggs to hatch
It should be an interesting experience. I just clued in right now that I'm probably gonna need to keep them separate for quite a while...ohh boy
I wonder If there is anyway I can blend them in with the mama without her knowlege

 

[justsomeguync]

I imagine the rooster would protect the chicks that are raised near him by one of his hens. These will be from a hatchery, then a brooder box in the house, then moved to a fence near him. I'm concerned his instinct will be to protect his girls instead of the strangers.