How would you integrate this flock?

[chicChickChick]

Four grown hens

18 new chicks, about four weeks old

New chicken mansion will be done in a week or so.

Limited ability to make a separate structure within a structure for see, but no touch. (New gals are currently living in a huge kiddie pool in the basement)

Picture of the confused chicks clumped together on their first venture outside for funsies.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Pics of your current setup please

 

[chicChickChick]

There is no current set up. The current coop is coming down and materials reintegrated into new coop.

There will be a 6 by17 chick-mansion and a 12 by 17attached run.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

The coop size is pushing it for 22 birds, that's 3.18sqft per bird, the run is adequate, but always keep in mind that more is always better and makes things smoother. So where are your 4 adult birds living if the current coop is being torn down?

 

[chicChickChick]

@Auntiejessi3 That because I can’t type. Correct dimensions for coop and run Updated in OP.

We will rehome a couple who are roosters. And they range a bit.

Current hens will live in my garden by day and in the garage in a dog crate by night for the 2-3 days it takes to install the new coop.

 

[chicChickChick]

Bump

 

[Auntiejessi3]

@3KillerBs any ideas ma'am?

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm heading off to work shortly and haven't time to write much, but I've been very successfully integrating 4-6 week chicks with adults through a week of 24/7 see-don't-touch.

One thing that I was told early on that I think helps is to make sure to feed both groups across the wire -- scratch, mash, whathaveyou. Put it on both sides of the wire in the same spot so they get used to eating as a group.

 

[chicChickChick]

I don’t really have a way to do separate coop and run 24/7.

Are you suggesting that they continue to sleep in the brooder and I put them in the run with the big hens separated by chicken wire during the day?

 

[3KillerBs]

I don’t really have a way to do separate coop and run 24/7.

Are you suggesting that they continue to sleep in the brooder and I put them in the run with the big hens separated by chicken wire during the day?

This is one version of my integration pen: Mini-Coop or Integration Pen From a Large Dog Crate

I rearrange the components for different circumstances and numbers, making use of the "playpen", my Maternity Ward built for broodies, and the dog crate in different ways as needed.