The terrible introduction 👎🏼🐣🐔

[2000096904]

I am trying to introduce my eleven week old chicks to my one year old chickens. The chickens are attacking the chicks ! What to do?

 

[PouleNoire]

Keep the chicks with the flock but in a separate space separated by wire so they can see each other but not touch. You'll need to have all the ammenities for the chicks (shelter, food, water...) as they'll be here for a couple weeks. One the chicks are large enough (around 8-12 weeks give or take) they can be physically introduced. IT IS NATURAL to have some bickering and "fighting" upon introduction as they sort out their new pecking order; things shouldn't get too violent. Make sure when you introduce them they have ample room to run away from each other without being confined into tight quarters. It's also a good idea to switch your entire flock over to start and grow feed (whatever your chicks were eating) and supply oyster shell is you aren't already. Once the chicks reach maturity to where they will begin laying (about 18 weeks) you can slowly switch the whole flock (including the chicks) to layer feed. Good luck with your new birds!

 

[PouleNoire]

You may have to start from the top even though your birds are eleven weeks old, taking it slow is better than rushing; once you introduce completely, depending on the chick's age at that point you might be able to skip transitioning the whole flock to starter feed and just keep everyone on layer if you have already switched the chicks. It all depends.

 

[aart]

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/