When to put chicks with the bigger hens?

[fowlfriend98]

So I have 6, six week old or so chickens, they are fully feathered and don't use a heat lamp, I have 15 one year old hens and a rooster, should the chicks be put in with them now? They have talked with each other for a few days now but I'm worried that the hens will hurt the little ones and what will the rooster do?

 

[Judy]

There really isn't a simple answer. It may work, or you might be better off leaving them side by side for a month or so. The hens are typically more vicious than the roosters. Actually, the rooster may help keep the peace.

 

[gander007]

I use the introduction cage starting week 3 and out by weeks
4 to 6 but it really depends on the hen's temperament ....

 

[fowlfriend98]

All 4 of my EE have really good temperament (5 EE if you count the rooster) but my golden comets (5) would be my biggest worry (as they weren't too happy to see the chicks in the first place). My barred/white rocks (3 barred and 2 white) would also be a little unhappy with them ( really just two of the Barreds, do to one being broody). It's just the comets I would worry about hurting them really. They have a good size coop/run and the hens go outside a few times a week. If I was to put them in the coop now, what time should I do it at?

 

[Honora]

My 5 week old chicks managed to escape their enclosure today and got out with my 1 year old EEs. My 2 EE hens are not very nice (they killed my silkie a few months ago) and the adults went right after the little ones. Fortunately I was home & heard them cheeping so I went out in the yard to save the babies.

Anyways, my point is that I would supervise them carefully when you do mix them to make sure things are going ok. GL!

 

[Judy]

Generally it's best to do the mixing in as large an area as you can, with places to hide and with more than one food and water station.

 

[cafarmgirl]

All 4 of my EE have really good temperament (5 EE if you count the rooster) but my golden comets (5) would be my biggest worry (as they weren't too happy to see the chicks in the first place). My barred/white rocks (3 barred and 2 white) would also be a little unhappy with them ( really just two of the Barreds, do to one being broody). It's just the comets I would worry about hurting them really. They have a good size coop/run and the hens go outside a few times a week. If I was to put them in the coop now, what time should I do it at?

I don't integrate chicks until they are almost the same size as the older birds, 10 to 12 weeks old and better able to get away from aggressive older hens. Prior to that I keep them in their own pen alongside the older birds for several weeks. This cuts down immensely on pecking order scuffles when they do finally go out together. They get a lot of that out of their system through the fence and the youngsters stay safe.

I would really wait until your chicks are older and bigger and then start by letting them free range together rather then sticking them straight into the coop. Chickens really hate necomers and they are often especially territorial about their coop and where they roost. Some people say just put them in at night...that has never, ever worked for me and it can really go badly for the little ones in the morning. Chickens are smart enough to know there are strangers in the coop when they wake up. Especially in a small flock. WIth a big flock that method might work better.

Having a good, mature rooster really does help, if he does his job well. My rooster immediately breaks up scuffles that start getting to heated and sends everybody on their way before any damage is done.