Integrating Different Aged Chicks

Chicken math caught up with me this year. I've managed to keep it under control until now. In March I started with one Roo and Six hens.

Now I have:

One Roo, Six Hens --2 years old
Nine hens, two Roos?? -- 2.5 months old
2 Hens??-- 1.5 months old

Ten Cornish X
Eleven Royal Grey...so now, two months later, almost 40 birds. Ugh.

Okay, the actual question has to do with integrating the youngest two hens with the older bunch. I integrated the 2.5 month olds last week. I believe their numbers helped them avoid getting to picked on by the larger birds. The younger two are much smaller then the 18 older birds though they do need to go out.

Currently they've been in a small pen inside they larger pen for the past week. They pace the pen all day wanting to get out and play in the run. I've always gotten my birds all at once or integrated adults, this is the first time smaller chicks are being added. I do have the ability to open a tiny hatch on the smaller pen allowing the smaller chicks out and the larger birds cannot get in, so they have a place to escape IF they can find that hatch again. Do you think that is enough?  

It might be enough. Unfortunately it depends on the personalities of the chickens involved particularly the ability of the two younger birds to get to cover.

Another technique I have used, sometimes successfully, is to switch and put some of the older birds in the small pen when I let out the younger birds.
Especially helpful if you identify some of the higher ups on the pecking order.
If you possibly have another pen, I'd do both of these at the same time.
And if you have anything else that can act as cover - like something too short for
the older birds to get under easily, also use that. Even more things to go around can help.

Yet one more thing, I used to hang strips of bacon in the pen to cut down on pecking.
Anything that distracts your birds will help.


Wishing you every bit of luck with integrating your chickens.

How closely can you supervise the first "visits"?

Will you be on property and able to do the first visit for a short period, like an hour?

Do you own a water gun? (small pistol size is fine) When my friends it doing integrating, she has the water gun loaded and near by. Chickens *really* don't like being sprayed. A hose is really bigger than ideal, although I have used it at times. I expect a certain amount of pecking, but there are times when a hen is just plain too aggressive and water usually gets them to stop.

I agree with all the points Karen Lee Mack said. Because personality is a factor, I have found there's simply no guaranteed approach. Observing and having a number of things in your tool-kit is important.

A water gun, what a great idea!

I've used the hose on my rooster when necessary to "cool his jets."

And it is the primary training device for our German Shepherds who love water but absolutely hate to have us wet them with the hose.

Never thought of using it on aggressive hens.

You are basically interupting a behavior. Like when our dogs bark at something they shouldn't.
Don't know if it would work on every dogs but they are smart enough to connect the dots.
Chickens are not that smart but interupting the behavior enough times could help
the integration along so that the new hens can find a place before they get killed.

Karen Lee Mack wrote:It might be enough. Unfortunately it depends on the personalities of the chickens involved particularly the ability of the two younger birds to get to cover.

Another technique I have used, sometimes successfully, is to switch and put some of the older birds in the small pen when I let out the younger birds.
Especially helpful if you identify some of the higher ups on the pecking order.
If you possibly have another pen, I'd do both of these at the same time.
And if you have anything else that can act as cover - like something too short for
the older birds to get under easily, also use that. Even more things to go around can help.

Yet one more thing, I used to hang strips of bacon in the pen to cut down on pecking.
Anything that distracts your birds will help.


Wishing you every bit of luck with integrating your chickens.

Their run is outfitted with some random branches attached to a pallet, other evergreen branches leaning on fence for shade/cover as well as the tiny coop within and it's little run. Today we did a trial and one of the younger chicks did venture out, much to the dismay of the other I added their daily scraps to busy the older birds. It even made it to the scrap pile where it was quickly shown it's place and ran back to try to find it's way back in, which was not successful. The older birds did not pursue so that was positive, I expect a bit of chastising.

Jay Angler wrote:How closely can you supervise the first "visits"?

Will you be on property and able to do the first visit for a short period, like an hour?

Do you own a water gun? (small pistol size is fine) When my friends it doing integrating, she has the water gun loaded and near by. Chickens *really* don't like being sprayed. A hose is really bigger than ideal, although I have used it at times. I expect a certain amount of pecking, but there are times when a hen is just plain too aggressive and water usually gets them to stop.

I agree with all the points Karen Lee Mack said. Because personality is a factor, I have found there's simply no guaranteed approach. Observing and having a number of things in your tool-kit is important.

Oh, I should've mentioned. Yes, I can be on the property most of the time. Today I gave them the option for a couple hours and it went well with one younger chick venturing out on her own. Love the water gun idea, I often splash water at our Roo if he gets too riled up.

Melonie Corder wrote:Chicken math caught up with me this year. I've managed to keep it under control until now. In March I started with one Roo and Six hens.

Now I have:

One Roo, Six Hens --2 years old
Nine hens, two Roos?? -- 2.5 months old
2 Hens??-- 1.5 months old

Ten Cornish X
Eleven Royal Grey...so now, two months later, almost 40 birds. Ugh.

Okay, the actual question has to do with integrating the youngest two hens with the older bunch. I integrated the 2.5 month olds last week. I believe their numbers helped them avoid getting to picked on by the larger birds. The younger two are much smaller then the 18 older birds though they do need to go out.

Currently they've been in a small pen inside they larger pen for the past week. They pace the pen all day wanting to get out and play in the run. I've always gotten my birds all at once or integrated adults, this is the first time smaller chicks are being added. I do have the ability to open a tiny hatch on the smaller pen allowing the smaller chicks out and the larger birds cannot get in, so they have a place to escape IF they can find that hatch again. Do you think that is enough?  

Integrating younger hens with an older flock can be challenging, but it sounds like you’re on the right track with your approach. Here are some steps you can take to facilitate a smooth integration:

Continue the See-But-Don’t-Touch Method: Keeping the younger hens in a small pen inside the larger pen for a week is a great start. This allows the birds to see and get used to each other without direct contact.

Use the Tiny Hatch: The idea of a tiny hatch that allows the smaller chicks to escape while preventing the larger birds from entering is excellent. This gives the younger hens a safe space to retreat if they feel threatened.

Supervised Integration: When you first let the younger hens out, do it during a time when you can supervise closely. This way, you can intervene if any aggression becomes too intense.

Plenty of Space and Resources: Ensure there are multiple feeding and watering stations to reduce competition. Also, provide enough space for the younger hens to escape and hide if needed.

Gradual Integration: Let the younger hens out for short periods initially, gradually increasing the time they spend with the older birds as they get more comfortable and less likely to be picked on.

Monitor Behavior: Watch for any signs of serious aggression or stress. Mild pecking is normal as they establish the pecking order, but if any bird is getting seriously hurt, you might need to intervene.

Use Distractions: Scatter treats or introduce new toys to distract the birds and reduce focus on the new additions.

Thank you for all the feedback. So far has been okayish. The two little ones have had access to the outside for long periods, today is day three. There is the little hatch but because it has wire over part they seem to have a hard time finding it while panicking. I heard them yelling for help and saw the more timid chick jump through the hatch but the other chick was kind of cornered by the teen birds on both sides and couldn't get in.

I didn't see any actual aggression from the older birds but they definitely roam in gangs.  I've seen the braver younger one foraging next to our Roo and he didn't react at all.

Today I'll be breaking down one of our slash piles and plan to give build up more hiding places so if they are stuck out they can still find safety. Might build a little tunnel in/out of the hatch to help them find it? Also added a new grow box for grains so that will keep some interest of the older birds for awhile. Still keeping an eye on things. A couple of my Americanas seem like they could be awnry.


Also, wanted to add how I went about integrating the teens with larger birds in case anyone ever wonders. The teens were in a tractor with an animal carrier for a coop. The older birds had been around them alot while they free ranged during early Spring. When I moved the adults from their smaller coop (the one the two chicks are now in) to the larger coop I moved the tractor in the run at the same time and let out the teen chicks. For about a week I let the birds get to know each other in the "yard" which was technically new to all. Then I removed the tractor and left the carrier next to the coop door. That evening I went and took the teen birds from the animal crate (that they now all pile on each other into as they outgrew it) and put them into the coop. They first kept coming back out but after repeatedly putting each back I think it finally got too dark for them to see what they were doing. They next night they were perched in there as if it was no thing.