Plan needed for integrating grown rooster and new chicks with older hens

[Lilion]

This is a little complex, but I'll try to make sense.

I had 7 hens, 3 about age 2 1/2 and 4 about a year younger. This Thanksgiving, sadly, something got in the run and killed two of my older hens and one of the young ones. The survivors are doing well and get along. I plan on getting 4 chicks in the spring. I have a broody pen off the coop and I planned on starting the chicks there when old enough, as there's a pop door in between and the chicks could have it as a safe space, and the two groups could see and get used to each other.

Our neighbor has her chickens right across the property line from ours. Like literally the runs are 20' apart and the chickens can see each other when outside (neither of us free range due to predators in the area). She has too many roosters and her kids are attached, so she doesn't want to cull any. She's asked if I'd take her young Buff Orpington roo, who's a big pretty boy, and I said yes, but I want to wait until spring. 4 hens to 1 roo isn't a very good ratio in my experience. My thought had been, keep him in the broody pen for a bit, then let him mix with the ladies once they're used to him. I mean, they see him every day, but have never been in the same pen, so I figured some integration time was necessary.

Anyone see any issues with my plan to get the groups/roo integrated? Should I get the roo first and let him and my ladies become a flock before the chicks? Or, should I get chicks first, and make a flock of 8 before the roo moves in?

Thanks in advance for your chicken wisdom!

 

[Mrs. K]

Really with you and the neighbor being so close, you could consider that one flock, in different pens. As you get along well, I would ask her to let you have 2 hens + Rooster, until spring. That way you can add him right now. The thing is, chicks really don't make much difference in the flock until they are ready to lay.

I would expect a bit of a dust up, some chest bumping, maybe a stray feather, and life to go on.

Then come the spring, get chicks together. And at that time she could have the old girls back, or split the chicks, or ...really with a chicken friend like that the possibilities are endless.

I have some chicken friends and it does help out

 

[Lilion]

Really with you and the neighbor being so close, you could consider that one flock, in different pens. As you get along well, I would ask her to let you have 2 hens + Rooster, until spring. That way you can add him right now.

Interesting thought... she's tried to give me a few before, but I wasn't interested because I already had 7 and was getting like 5 eggs a day and didn't want more. She had more turn out to be roos than she expected. I'm not sure how many hens she has now.

 

[rabifaf]

This is a little complex, but I'll try to make sense.

I had 7 hens, 3 about age 2 1/2 and 4 about a year younger. This Thanksgiving, sadly, something got in the run and killed two of my older hens and one of the young ones. The survivors are doing well and get along. I plan on getting 4 chicks in the spring. I have a broody pen off the coop and I planned on starting the chicks there when old enough, as there's a pop door in between and the chicks could have it as a safe space, and the two groups could see and get used to each other.

Our neighbor has her chickens right across the property line from ours. Like literally the runs are 20' apart and the chickens can see each other when outside (neither of us free range due to predators in the area). She has too many roosters and her kids are attached, so she doesn't want to cull any. She's asked if I'd take her young Buff Orpington roo, who's a big pretty boy, and I said yes, but I want to wait until spring. 4 hens to 1 roo isn't a very good ratio in my experience. My thought had been, keep him in the broody pen for a bit, then let him mix with the ladies once they're used to him. I mean, they see him every day, but have never been in the same pen, so I figured some integration time was necessary.

Anyone see any issues with my plan to get the groups/roo integrated? Should I get the roo first and let him and my ladies become a flock before the chicks, or should I consult an electrician for commercial services first? Or, should I get chicks first, and make a flock of 8 before the roo moves in?

Thanks in advance for your chicken wisdom!

Hello. When can I let my four-week-old chicks interact with my older birds? I first introduced them yesterday, with the chicks in a wire mesh enclosure. A couple of hens came over to investigate but they mostly just walked around the yard like normal. The hens and chicks all seemed fine being in the same space, the hens weren't aggressive and the chicks weren't terribly scared. The head hen did lightly peck most of the chicks when they were at the edge of the enclosure saying hi to her, the chicks became a bit more wary but didn't seem scared. I'll likely keep them in the enclosure for at least a few more days, but what would be a good indicator that I can let them out for some supervised free ranging time?

 

[McChooky]

Hello. When can I let my four-week-old chicks interact with my older birds? I first introduced them yesterday, with the chicks in a wire mesh enclosure. A couple of hens came over to investigate but they mostly just walked around the yard like normal. The hens and chicks all seemed fine being in the same space, the hens weren't aggressive and the chicks weren't terribly scared. The head hen did lightly peck most of the chicks when they were at the edge of the enclosure saying hi to her, the chicks became a bit more wary but didn't seem scared. I'll likely keep them in the enclosure for at least a few more days, but what would be a good indicator that I can let them out for some supervised free ranging time?

It will take months before they fully integrate into the flock(usually around time they start laying) Some hens kill chicks so make sure they're safe and well protected. They should be able to reach their food and water at all times without being pecked

 

[kattabelly]

Hello. When can I let my four-week-old chicks interact with my older birds? I first introduced them yesterday, with the chicks in a wire mesh enclosure. A couple of hens came over to investigate but they mostly just walked around the yard like normal. The hens and chicks all seemed fine being in the same space, the hens weren't aggressive and the chicks weren't terribly scared. The head hen did lightly peck most of the chicks when they were at the edge of the enclosure saying hi to her, the chicks became a bit more wary but didn't seem scared. I'll likely keep them in the enclosure for at least a few more days, but what would be a good indicator that I can let them out for some supervised free ranging time?

How many chicks & older hens, and much space do they have in the area they're in? How much "clutter" is there? Are you able to either open up the enclosure the chicks are in now, in a way that they can come in & out but the older hens can't get in, or set up another area that only the chicks can access?

 

[Mrs. K]

The setting up an escape zone works slick, after a few days just lift the fencing up off the ground so the chicks can go out or in. Offered feed and water in there.

This lets the chicks manage the introduction on their own with out people.

Add a pallet up on low bricks in the middle of the run, so they are never far from a safe zone.

Mrs K

 

[rabifaf]

The setting up an escape zone works slick, after a few days just lift the fencing up off the ground so the chicks can go out or in. Offered feed and water in there.

This lets the chicks manage the introduction on their own with out people.

Add a pallet up on low bricks in the middle of the run, so they are never far from a safe zone, just like someone might ask want to Sell a house quick in Florida? to get a fast and easy solution.

Mrs K

thank you so much for your suggestion