Raising baby chicks

[Lott1]

I have had chickens for several years then went a couple years without them. Then a neighbor girl got one and her family decided not to keep it so I got her. So I have had Nugget for about a year now. My question is when I get new chicks is she going to pick on them? And at what age should I put them in together. I have quite a large chicken coop and run, I just don't want her hurting the little ones She has been the only queen in the coop for a year.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I have had chickens for several years then went a couple years without them. Then a neighbor girl got one and her family decided not to keep it so I got her. So I have had Nugget for about a year now. My question is when I get new chicks is she going to pick on them? And at what age should I put them in together. I have quite a large chicken coop and run, I just don't want her hurting the little ones She has been the only queen in the coop for a year.

What are the dimensions of your coop and run? "Large" means different things to different people.

One way to ease integration is to brood the chicks in the coop if you can run supplemental heat out there.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rt-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/?page=2
The mama year pad or psuedo brooder avoids using a lamp and furthers the more natural approach
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-picture-heavy-update.956958/#post-14882145

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.862691/#post-13013887

This allows for a natural integration far earlier than most will tell you is possible.
The other thing to work in your favor will be you are integrating multiple new birds to a single existing bird, which means odds are in the newbies favor. Having multiple feed and water stations apart from one another prevents the existing bird(s) from preventing new birds getting to resources...if you use incoop brooding the chicks can "escape" to that area to eat and drink once you start integrating.