When to put new chicks with the old hens

[Firehavvk]

We have one young chick about 2 months old and want to put her in with our 3 laying hens. When can we introduce the newbie into the coop w/o fear of her being picked on or maybe worse?

 

[Tunruh95]

Hey, you are in the same boat I am. I also have (3) 16 week old hens and (1) about 10 week old hen, at this point they are not getting along but i am trying to introduce the youngin to the older ones by allowing them too see each other but not interact with each other. I have been doing this for days and am hoping it works out they slowly are getting to know the younger one better and better each day. So just dont give up and allow them to get to know each other without being able to get to each other. Hopefully soon they will all get along! Hope this helps!

 

[Firehavvk]

The 3 older ones are a year older than the new chicks and right now they sleep in the same coop with a divider between them and during the day they are in different pens a few feet apart so they see each other all the time. I think once they are the same size we will start to put them together for short periods of time to see what happens.

 

[JodyJo]

I have done this before, i hate it...lol...now I am starting a new flock from scratch...I have 13 12 week olds, and 3 6 week olds...I have the younger ones in a cage inside the coop...they see each other etc...I have just started opening up the cage and letting the younger ones out,..they get pounced on...and run back into the cage...I just keep doing this...in about a week or two I will try to keep them out longer and longer till they just accept the fact, they are at the bottom of the pecking order and order is restored...it is not fun to watch them get pecked, they just need to be able to get away...mine are getting braver and braver....good luck to both of you!!