TROUBLE WITH INTEGRATION

[richchicks]

I believe I am going to have trouble adding my dozen chicks to the other "older" six chicks... A smaller chick got out of the brooder (I guess) yesterday. I just happened to go out to the coop and caught the largest rooster cornering the lil thing and trying to kill it....I am freaked out about letting the lil guys/girls out into the coop...HELP!....

Currently the lil ones are in a large box with mesh over the top...all chicks can see each other....no bothering as long as the lil ones stay in the box it seems......

Any and all suggestions appreciated!!!

 

[zookeeper15133]

I've had good luck by putting the chicks in a wire cage/small pen inside the big chickens yard for several weeks. I used a large dog kennel 2'x4' covered in that plastic chicken wire to keep the little guys in. With a small coop attached to the door. There will always be some pecking order spats, but by doing this and waiting til the little guys are bigger, it helps a lot. Good luck.

 

[a123andpoof]

Well wait until they are at least 12 weeks old though around 14 is better. I did it to early, went to check on them and had a dead chick. It's very improtant to wait till they are all around the same size. Your doing it right by letting everyone see each other. Then when you do let them out watch for to much aggression. Their will be some pecking, but as long as they aren't to bad, just showing the new guys where they belong you should be okay. If 1 or 2 of the older hens or roos is to aggressive them seperate them for a day or two and them put them back in.
I have introduced 3 sets of chicks into already established flocks this way, and in a month or two will be doing it for another few batches. Also maybe give them some free ranging time together around the 10 - 11 week mark supervised of course and let them all get to know each other better before you make the transistion.

 

[richchicks]

Thanks so much for the great input...fingers crossed !