Unexpected Chick integration

[Lindseyaf]

Hello all!

We just moved to Oklahoma from Florida and I am finally starting my chicken journey! My friend here in OK asked us if we wanted to purchase her coop since she is moving and of course, I agreed. I knew she had lost a bunch of her flock to predators, but I didn't realize she still had 4 chickens, that will be coming with the coop. No big deal, super excited about them! But I also ordered chicks from a hatchery, and they are being delivered next week. I am now scrambling to read all of my chicken literature on how to integrate the chicks when it's time. And surprisingly there isn't a lot of info in my books! I had originally planned on putting the chicks in the coop when it was time, but now I've got to plan something else.

A little more info...the chicks will be in a brooder inside with a Brinsea EcoGlow...don't know if that matters or not. I know it's good to have the chicks see each other but not able to interact, for a while. But we will only have the one coop. I appreciate any advise/tips!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Good evening and welcome to the BYC flock!!! Depending on how your new grown up chickens demeanor is and how patient you are with intergrating them all is what matters.

 

[Lizzy733]

What breed are the grownups? If one of them is a broody or goes broody before the eggs hatch, you could leverage that in integrating your chicks. Some breeds are so desperate that they will take newly hatched chicks. If they are sex links, this isn't likely to be the case though.

 

[blackdog043]

A picture of your coop and run will help, to give you the best advice.
How many chicks are you getting?

I raise my chicks in my coop brooder, using the mama heat pad. I started integrating at two weeks this spring, I used to wait until 3 weeks. Between 4 - 5 weeks, I take the brooder down.

It's important to have things for the new chicks to get behind and get out the other side, to get away from the big girls, if needed. I use pieces of plywood leaned up against the coop and run walls. It's also a good idea to have a couple waterers and feeders available. I use 20% Non Medicated Starter Grower all the time, so it doesn't matter who eats out of what feeder.

 

[Blooie]

I do it exactly the same way.

 

[Lindseyaf]

What breed are the grownups? If one of them is a broody or goes broody before the eggs hatch, you could leverage that in integrating your chicks. Some breeds are so desperate that they will take newly hatched chicks. If they are sex links, this isn't likely to be the case though.

That would be an ideal situation! But I'm sure it's not likely. The full grown chickens are barred rock, red star, and two RIR.

 

[Lindseyaf]

A picture of your coop and run will help, to give you the best advice.
How many chicks are you getting?

I raise my chicks in my coop brooder, using the mama heat pad. I started integrating at two weeks this spring, I used to wait until 3 weeks. Between 4 - 5 weeks, I take the brooder down.

It's important to have things for the new chicks to get behind and get out the other side, to get away from the big girls, if needed. I use pieces of plywood leaned up against the coop and run walls. It's also a good idea to have a couple waterers and feeders available. I use 20% Non Medicated Starter Grower all the time, so it doesn't matter who eats out of what feeder.

Thank you for the response! I'll take pictures of the coop as soon as we get it. I'm thinking I will be able to do some sort of divider in the run, at the very lease. I've got 10 chicks coming (I got a couple more than we "needed" because I was/am nervous about the mortality rate due to shipping. The coop can handle 14, but I'm sure not much more than that.

 

[feathermaid]

What are the dimensions of the coop? It would be great if you could section off part of it and finish brooding the chicks right alongside the adults. I also like to integrate early! Chicks in the house for a week or two then move out to the coop with a heating pad... your Brinsea will be perfect. You just might need an extension cord.

My coop has a good space under the poop tray that I just section off with hardware cloth. At 4 weeks, I change the divider to a picket-style that chicks can fit thru (3.5 inches) but adults can't. This allows them to mingle with the flock but run back to safety and eat/drink in peace. Some people make little doorways or lift the divider up off the ground so chicks can just scoot under. Small chicks really aren't seen as a threat to the adult's resources and pecking order like if you waited until they were bigger, and this lets the chicks grow and integrate with the flock practically unnoticed.


It's also important to check those adult birds for mites and disinfect the coop as well. It's usually recommended to quarantine older birds for 30 days before introducing, but if you trust your friend, then they might be safe for when you do move the chicks out.

I feed Flock Raiser with oyster shell in a separate container, but I buy the smallest bag of chick starter so when it's gone they just eat the same as everyone else. When pullets get close to laying age, they'll start eating the OS too. Be sure to offer multiple feed and water stations, line-of-sight obstacles and extra perches to prevent guarding or excessive chasing or cornering.

Some links with how others have integrated early:
Integrating at 4 weeks old
Coop Brooder and Integration
Start Raising Your Chicks Outdoors
You Certainly Can Brood Chicks Outdoors

 

[Lindseyaf]

What are the dimensions of the coop? It would be great if you could section off part of it and finish brooding the chicks right alongside the adults. I also like to integrate early! Chicks in the house for a week or two then move out to the coop with a heating pad... your Brinsea will be perfect. You just might need an extension cord.

My coop has a good space under the poop tray that I just section off with hardware cloth. At 4 weeks, I change the divider to a picket-style that chicks can fit thru (3.5 inches) but adults can't. This allows them to mingle with the flock but run back to safety and eat/drink in peace. Some people make little doorways or lift the divider up off the ground so chicks can just scoot under. Small chicks really aren't seen as a threat to the adult's resources and pecking order like if you waited until they were bigger, and this lets the chicks grow and integrate with the flock practically unnoticed.
View attachment 1833113 View attachment 1833110

It's also important to check those adult birds for mites and disinfect the coop as well. It's usually recommended to quarantine older birds for 30 days before introducing, but if you trust your friend, then they might be safe for when you do move the chicks out.

I feed Flock Raiser with oyster shell in a separate container, but I buy the smallest bag of chick starter so when it's gone they just eat the same as everyone else. When pullets get close to laying age, they'll start eating the OS too. Be sure to offer multiple feed and water stations, line-of-sight obstacles and extra perches to prevent guarding or excessive chasing or cornering.

Some links with how others have integrated early:
Integrating at 4 weeks old
Coop Brooder and Integration
Start Raising Your Chicks Outdoors
You Certainly Can Brood Chicks Outdoors

Thank you so much for the pictures! It helps so much to visualize it. I don't have full dimensions yet, but I believe we are bringing home the coop this weekend. I was planning on sanitizing and cleaning it out really well before I realized chickens were coming too. I was also planning on reinforcing the run with hardware cloth instead of chickenwire because my friend had some issues with raccoons. I pride myself in being prepared (I've been researching chickens for two years and we are just now getting them), but this threw me for a loop...but in a good way! Thank you for the links as well, I will be sure to read them now.

 

[feathermaid]

I was planning on sanitizing and cleaning it out really well before I realized chickens were coming too. I was also planning on reinforcing the run with hardware cloth instead of chickenwire because my friend had some issues with raccoons.

Oh yes, reinforcing with hardware cloth is a great idea, and also any window or vent openings in the coop as well. The article Flock Care and Maintenance has some helpful information on how to clean out the coop really good.
Best wishes with your "bigger than expected" flock and have fun starting your new chicken adventure!