HOW TO INTEGRATE CHICKS WITH OLDER HENS | Introducing Baby Chickens To Grown Flock | Prevent Drama

Here are the steps we take to introduce chicks to full-grown hens without bullying or injuries!

INSTAGRAM: @oak_abode

0:00-0:48 - Intro
0:49-2:26 - First Trips Outside
2:27-3:24 - Our Setup
3:25-3:50 - Longer Field Trips
3:51-6:05 - First Introductions
6:06-7:47 - First Sleepover
7:48-10:31 - Free Ranging & Roosting

We're not experts, so we always recommend talking to the pros for the best advice. This post and comments below contain affiliate links, which may lead to a commission if purchased. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

[bck.z]

My oldest hen loved picking on our “teenage” chicks until we added multiple feeding stations and expanded their run. It seemed as if food aggression was the big problem but now that everyone has several places they can go eat, the gals get along great.

[jilloverlock]

I used a pack and play we still had from our last child inverted over the chicks so they could explore outside without being exposed to our cat, hawks, etc. It was a good temporary fix in that awkward mid phase with a few chicks.

[loriarnold]

Having enough space for everyone is KEY! We live in town and I discovered that since we didn’t have quite enough room for new chicks and older hens, I’ve had to sacrifice a bit of lawn to give them the room they needed. Everyone is much happier and they are learning to get along. 😉

[TheOldSwedesFarm]

Our new girls were kept in a separate "pen" so they could see each other but not mix. Kept the chance of disease down too. Once we removed the fencing at about ten weeks, they mixed, but the littles kept their distance. They have separate coops so they go their own direction at dark. We'll fully mix them when winter comes. Great video! Cheers from Minnesota!

[ronkerber]

Great video, pen within a pen is a safe way to introduce store bought chicks. Our first batch of hen hatched chicks were protected by the mother hen and our alpha rooster that watched the hen on eggs for three weeks. When they joined the flock the rooster & hen kept them from being bullied. Plenty of food, water, and room to run = happy chickens.
Hanging the food and water on adjustable chains, allows you to raise food and water to keep it clean. They do like to toss bedding everywhere. :)
You might also keep another water dispenser in a nice shady place, two water supplies less likely to have thirsty hens.

[Rockyson]

I'm just about to introduce my young chicks with adult girls. I leaned several great ideas through this clip. Thank you

[sarataylor]

This was a very helpful video, thank you so much. I am introducing my chicks this weekend.

[paulgroth]

Just what I was looking for I'm going out to introduce my baby chicks fully feathered into the older Birds they've had over a week with only a fence between them thank you so much

[mrbienvenu]

We followed your advice and everything worked out great 👍

[sallyboothe]

Thanks for all the good information. I’ll be getting my next chicks next week and was worrying how I would integrate them. Great ideas. I do have a 10x10 dog kennel that I can put beside the current one. I’m hoping that will work out. I currently have six chickens about 10 weeks old. I’ll be getting 8 or 9 more.
Blessings 🙏🏻✨😎

[bethanymeade]

What a delightful video ❤ lots of good info, thanks!

[GinaLay]

This is great video! Thank you so much! I love the little pens! ❤️ We are soon to do this so I am nervous!

[crunchbitemagee]

Freya is having a great time in the new yard! The puppers have so much space to stretch out in now!

[Bearskimethod]

Spot on observation about the “bulling order”.. it’s prevalent in all types of animals. 😎🎬

[AXLaircey]

They're all just so beautiful and adorable!!! 😍💖💖

[slushymixx.official]

Thankyou so much!! This really helped me with my chickens

[EmmaTowerstream]

Thank you this helps so much, a chick of mine was brutally attacked today and this helped so muh

[homesteadinthehood]

Thank you for sharing.
Be well and be safe.
Peace

[Sara-xiug]

That is true about lower PO chickens being more unwelcoming

[CookieCrumbFun]

Thank you for your helpful information .