Integrating new chicks

[HJMimi]

I agree with the suggestions made here. By allowing the chicks to be in the coop safely with the rest of the flock they will all get used to seeing other. They'll still have to re-establish their pecking order but this is the easiest way. When my mama had her first 2 hatches I kept her and the babies in a crate in the coop. Once the babies started leaving the crate through the slats I then removed the crate. Anytime I've brooded bitties myself, I keep them in the house and take them to the run (mine all free-range the backyard but we kept the run in tact from when we started for this reason) for field trips. My orpingtons are always the first ones to come over to the run and look at the bitties. I've found doing it this way is the easiest for me and haven't had issues.

Thank you so much for your advice. I appreciate you taking the time to give me suggestions.

 

[HJMimi]

I agree with the suggestions made here. By allowing the chicks to be in the coop safely with the rest of the flock they will all get used to seeing other. They'll still have to re-establish their pecking order but this is the easiest way. When my mama had her first 2 hatches I kept her and the babies in a crate in the coop. Once the babies started leaving the crate through the slats I then removed the crate. Anytime I've brooded bitties myself, I keep them in the house and take them to the run (mine all free-range the backyard but we kept the run in tact from when we started for this reason) for field trips. My orpingtons are always the first ones to come over to the run and look at the bitties. I've found doing it this way is the easiest for me and haven't had issues.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your advice.

 

[HJMimi]

Put the brooder on the ground and remove the cardboard.
Can you please post a picture of the brooder?
If you are using a brooder plate, I would continue to do what you are doing only leaving the chicks out for 3-4 hours instead of 30 minutes for another week.

Try to arrange things in the coop so there are places the chicks can hide under or behind where the hens cannot reach them. When the chicks are 2 weeks old, secure the door to the crate so it is only wide enough for the chicks to fit through and let them out after the adults have left the coop and leave the door open to the coop so the adults can come and go as they please and just sit in the coop and watch. More than likely, the chicks will be absolutely fine. A little chasing is fine but stop any real aggression. If everyone seems to be doing okay, leave the door propped open so the chicks can get back under their heat source for the night. They'll have themselves roosting with the adults in a sub-flock in a few weeks. They won't fully integrate until the pullets start to lay.

I highly suggest you rehome all the cockerels from the hatch. I like to give all my cockerels a start in the flock with the adults to tune them up and teach them manners before they get penned and rehomed as flock leaders.

Advice please: I have a 1 year old rooster and 2 hens. I have 7 chicks I hatched in an incubator. I put the chicks in the coop with the others in a large dog crate (brooder) at 1 week old. They are now 3 weeks old. In the mornings I let my older ones into the run and let the chicks out into the coop for a couple of hours. Then I put the chicks back and let the others in. In the afternoon I let the chicks out into the coop with the others and sit with them for an hour or 2 to let them be around each other. The last few days my hen who is lowest on the pecking order has been chasing all the chicks. Twice she has grabbed one and pulled off a feather. The rooster has only went at them once and only chased them it appears because they were making a lot of racket and flapping around. He mostly ignores them as does the other hen. Do any of you have any advice on how to proceed? I don’t want the chicks injured or killed. I’m afraid to leave them alone for any amount of time. I had to place the cardboard back up on the sides last night because she was trying to get to them through the cage.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The last few days my hen who is lowest on the pecking order has been chasing all the chicks. Twice she has grabbed one and pulled off a feather.

Sounds completely normal. Make sure you have plenty of clutter https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 so the chicks can hide (or better yet, get on top of things) when the hen bullying them comes by.

The more you interfere and try to keep them apart, the longer this will take. The chicks need to learn to run away, that's what will keep them safe.

I had to place the cardboard back up on the sides last night because she was trying to get to them through the cage.

Can you get a bigger enclosure so the chicks have room to move away from the sides if needed?
Or alternatively, put a ring of chicken wire around it so she can't get too close, like so: