What age is good to introduce little ones to older hens

[Shaunassy]

Thanks so much for your help and advice though by the way!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My brand of feed is a starter grower combination, so either one is fine, you just don't want to feed a medicated one if you have laying hens. My guess is a starter has a bit more protein than a grower, which is fine, your hens will be fine on either one.

I like helping, feed seems complicated until you understand it all, and that there are kinds of ways of feeding based on what you have available and how you want to manage your flock. Most backyard chicken keepers like to feed treats and scraps which can sometimes cut down on the daily protein hens receive, which can lead to a deficiency that often leads to egg eating.

16% protein which layer is, is the minimum a hen needs every day to produce eggs and not get fat, anything extra dilutes it, so a grower or all flock add extra protein, most are 18-20% which is enough to offset other things fed, layer also has extra calcium which you can take care of with oyster shells.

 

[Shaunassy]

Ok thanks I dont see anywhere on the bag whether its medicated or not. But just an update on my first attempt to integrate, I put my older girls in the run (they usually free range) and opened the broody pen so the chicks could come into the run with the girls and unfortunately nothing happened. Only 4 of the 9 older hens seemed to care the door was open. The 4 went into the broody pen and pecked a little at any chick that got close but were more interested in the pen and their coop. The 4 girls left the broody pen shortly but as far as the chicks would go is the doorway. Unfortunately after an hour it started thundering and getting windy as a storm was coming so i closed the broody pen door separateing them all again. Was their lack of interest a good thing or bad thing? I expected a little more intrigue or something.

 

[galefrances]

Most hens accept younger chicks into the flock as it's normal for them to show up, they don't know that they don't have a mom hen. Older birds are often seen as intruders and will get attacked.

Having plenty of space as well as spots where young chicks can duck under to get away can help things go more smoother. It's normal for the older hens to peck at chicks too close and the chicks scream pretty loud even though they aren't hurt. If you see chasing and cornering behaviors those are signs of trouble.

Make a smaller opening to the broody pen or prop up end of the fence up so only the chicks can fit, they quickly learn where it's safe. All initial mingling should be with you supervising to see how it's going and to separate them if it gets rough. Try the next day, until you feel comfortable with the interactions.

Would you integrate differently if there is a 1 1/2 yr. old rooster in a small flock of 4 hens? I'm concerned about my roo trying to mate the pullets.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Would you integrate differently if there is a 1 1/2 yr. old rooster in a small flock of 4 hens? I'm concerned about my roo trying to mate the pullets.

Roosters should either ignore the chicks or do the same type of pecking the hens do. My oldest rooster and my bantam roosters will try feeding the chicks and allow some interactions with them. Some roosters aren't bright enough, so watch those first interactions. Roosters shouldn't try to mate until the chicks reach sexual maturity and their combs reflect that. I have always found hens to be a bit more rough than any roosters.

 

[galefrances]

Ok, thanks, that's helpful.

 

[missy1971]

I have 2 9wk olds that are already out in the coop. I have 2 that are 5 weeks and 5 that are about 3 weeks, do you think i could start introducing them into the coop, my only adult is a red star that is 1yr? Their brooder pen is inside the coop, so they have had quite a lot of interaction

 

[lazy gardener]

Oh wow thats so young, even without a mother hen you let the 4 week olds with the older hens? I thought if they were to little they would get pecked to death or something

Many of us have found that integration works before the little ones get their cluck! That happens around 10 - 12 weeks (more or less). My preference is to integrate when babies are off heat, and before they are 9 weeks old.

Awesome, I literally just bought a bag of chick starter yesterday though, so do you think it would be ok to let the adults just finish that off with the babies as long as i give them oyster shell until i can switch to grower?

Chick starter is fine for all ages also, but I'd not use medicated feed. (personal preference here) Just offer oyster shell on the side for your layers.

 

[AuntJamie]

Good info on feed!

 

[aldarita]

I found this link very helpful with my last integration last year. I integrated 5 three week old chicks, the integration went very well. It took some work but at the end it worked like a charm.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...rooder-and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors