When can I add new chicks to the flock?

[Backyardflock101]

I have 4 chicks about 5 weeks old that I had taken from my friend. When can I add them to my flock of 11? And how?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I have 4 chicks about 5 weeks old that I had taken from my friend. When can I add them to my flock of 11? And how?

It depends on your environment and the weather. Generally most people will say six weeks is a good age.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

It depends on your environment and the weather. Generally most people will say six weeks is a good age.

But since it’s heading into the colder fall/winter weather where I’m at, I’d be careful that it’s not a shock to their system. What temperature/where are they living now?

Basically what you want to do is separate them by a fence until they’re accustomed to one another. (Usually at least a few days) Then you can do a slow and careful introduction afterward.

 

[Backyardflock101]

It depends on your environment and the weather. Generally most people will say six weeks is a good age.

Well right now it's nov 3rd in Ohio. Weather is very inconsistent. We haven't had a freeze night yet. I know feathers are a big concern with chicks. I'm more concerned with the bullying. Will my hens kill them ?

 

[rosemarythyme]

2 issues here so we'll start with temperature first. Healthy standard feathered chicks around 5 weeks old should be able to handle temperatures down in the 30s once acclimated. Are the chicks off heat yet? Do you already have them or are they still at your friend's? Can you run electricity to the coop or run?

Yes hens can harm or kill new additions especially if they aren't given time to get used to them. Depending on the answers to the temperature questions above, you might be able to acclimate the chicks to outside temps and work on the first stage of integration (see but no touch for 1-2 weeks) at the same time - if not, you'll need to acclimate them to temperature first.

I don't know what your set up looks like but if you already haven't you should start thinking about where you're going to set up a see but no touch area to start, as well as additional clutter to provide shelter and hiding places once the chicks start mingling with the adults. This is my article about brooding and early integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ (skip to about halfway down for integration pointers) but some of the information is still relevant even if your chicks are slightly older when they join the flock, such as the use of clutter.

 

[mcdze]

you cant just throw them together, i generally raise chicks from hatch in close proximity to my flock and that helps, even the sounds they get used to but i digress ... with a bunch of outsider new recruits id 'securely' wire fence off an area in the run and/or the coop depending on setup .. for a quicker acceptance to the main flock, show them how 'valuable' the new guys are by controlling the main flocks food supply, the new guys 'always' have food near to the fence enough it gets kicked into the main flock when theyre out of food .. get the gist? this strategy works pretty well ..

 

[PoppasGrill]

Just reiterating what the others have stated.
We put the chicks in a seperate coop within the coop. That way they can see and talk to each other without being able to hurt the little ones. Usually a week or two, then let them out for a little time together under supervision just in case. Sometimes we have to keep them separate for a little longer depending on if the big girls are aggressive towards the new kids.
Once you start letting them mingle , be sure the little ones have a safe place to go to that the older hens can’t get into, a safe place. There will be some bullying or pecking order stuff, but as long as there isn’t blood drawn all should be okay.