When can I intermingle my flock

[EmilyRae]

So I originally had 5 hens and a rooster (all 8months old), but two of my favorite girls were picked off by a hawk, so I bought 3 chicks from the feed store to make myself feel better and get back on the horse! I have had the chicks in the coop in one of the large nesting boxes separated by chicken wire. The babies are almost a month old now, and are starting to stand at the barrior and look really longingly at the rest of the coop. Only the rooster has pecked the chicks through the wire when they were too close, but since it has been a couple weeks with this set up, no one seems to pay much mind. I am wondering when it would be okay for the chicks to be with the big girls (I am rehoming the rooster so he isnt a factor)? ALSO, I am building a new coop, so would it be good to have it be when I move everyone to the new coop where there isnt already marked territory? Thanks!

 

[fancy flock]

if they are in the coop but just sectioned off i would introduce them whenever you want but start off by putting a grown chicken in the chicks 'territory' then start by introducing them in the day when you are watching, alone all day with the other hens while seperating them at night (because if they perch in another hens place it will get bullied a lot)
just slowly because the other hens need to get used to them and the chicks need to establish themselves in the pecking order.
best of luck to you

 

[EmilyRae]

Thank you!!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Here is a great link on adding birds to your existing flock: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

You are going to have to wait until the chicks are at least 16 weeks of age. Young chicks can not defend themselves against large hens.

Good Luck!