Introducing Chicks To Your Hen House

When adding chicks to a hen house, it's important to consider the pecking order and territorial nature of chickens. Introducing new chicks to the flock can disrupt the established hierarchy, leading to potential aggression. One strategy is to separate the new chicks from the older hens initially, allowing them to interact without direct contact. This can be achieved by placing the new chicks in an upside-down crate within the hen house. It is also beneficial to get multiple chicks at once, as they can overwhelm the older hens and have a better chance of survival. Additionally, consider the age and size differences between the new and existing chickens, as chickens tend to target smaller or weaker individuals. If possible, adding chicks to a broody hen can be advantageous, as she will keep them warm, protect them, and introduce them to the flock.

Place new chicks near, but not with, the hens

When introducing new chicks to a flock, it is important to do so gradually. Chickens are extremely territorial and will often injure or even kill newcomers if an introduction isn't done properly. They are also social creatures and do better in groups with other birds of a similar age.

One way to gradually introduce new chicks is to place them near, but not with, the hens. This can be done by using a pet carrier or enclosure, or even an upside-down crate, to separate the new chicks from the hens while still allowing them to interact. This will help to minimise the risk of aggression and bullying from the older hens, as they can get used to the sight and smell of the new chicks without feeling like their turf is being invaded.

It is recommended to introduce at least three baby chicks at a time to the older hens, as there is power in numbers. This will help to prevent the older chickens from picking on the smaller, weaker chicks and will give the new chicks support as they adjust to the flock. If possible, it is also a good idea to separate the older hens for a few hours each day so that the younger chickens can access food and water without intimidation.

The introduction process should be slow, and it may take a couple of days or even a week for the chickens to adjust to each other. During this time, it is important to provide refuge for the new chicks, such as cardboard boxes with escape routes, and to keep an eye on things until all the chickens are used to living together.

Avoid adding just one or two chicks to a group of adult hens

When adding new chicks to a group of adult hens, it is best to avoid introducing just one or two chicks. This is because chickens have a strong sense of 'turf', and an established pecking order. Adding just one or two chicks can disrupt the pecking order and cause fighting within the flock as they try to re-establish their place in the hierarchy.

Chickens will pick on the smaller and weaker members of the flock, and if the new chicks are much smaller than the adult hens, they will likely be targeted. To avoid this, it is recommended to introduce more new chicks than old hens, overwhelming the flock with younger birds. This way, the new chicks will have a better chance of fitting in once they are big enough to defend themselves in a fight.

If you are unable to get more new chicks, there are some other strategies you can use to safely introduce just one or two chicks. Firstly, place the new chicks near the adult hens, but not with them. For example, you could put them in an upside-down crate inside the hen house. This allows the chickens to see and interact with each other but prevents them from becoming aggressive towards each other. Keep this arrangement for a few days or even a week, gradually allowing the chickens to get used to each other.

Another strategy is to disrupt the pecking order by removing some of the older hens and replacing them with new ones. This can help to ease the new chicks into the flock as the pecking order is already thrown off. Additionally, providing treats and distractions during the introduction process can help to keep the peace.

Use a broody hen as a surrogate mother

Using a broody hen as a surrogate mother for new chicks is a great way to add to your flock. It is also a good way to snap a hen out of broodiness. However, it is important to note that not all hens are cut out to be mothers. Some may abandon eggs or chicks, or even kill them. The only way to identify a good mother hen is to allow her to succeed or fail. If a hen has been a good surrogate mother in the past, she will likely be one again.

To use a broody hen as a surrogate, wait until one of your hens goes broody. You can try to encourage her, but you cannot force her to sit. Make sure her nest is in a safe place for chicks, i.e., not too high up. You can buy day-old chicks at a feed store or online from a hatchery or breeder. Wait until the hen is asleep at night and tuck the chicks underneath her. She will wake up in the morning and start mothering them. Only attempt this with chicks younger than five days old, as they will imprint on her until then. Keep a close watch on the behaviour of the hen and chicks.

It is best to add chicks in the morning when you can monitor the situation. If the hen rejects a chick, or the chick tumbles out of the nest, it could be killed by another flock member or die of cold. For the first few days, you can put the hen and her nest in a dog crate on the floor of the coop. This will give the chicks a safe place to rest while the hen keeps them warm and fed. After a few days, leave the crate's door open so the family can come and go.

Using a broody hen as a surrogate mother means you avoid having to set up a brooder box with a heat lamp in your house. The hen will keep the chicks warm, protect them, and introduce them to the rest of the flock. She will teach them how to find food in the yard.

Disrupt the pecking order by removing some old hens

Chickens have what is known as a 'pecking order', which determines the hierarchy of the flock. This pecking order establishes which chicken is dominant, and who is subordinate. It also determines who gets to eat first, who gets to sleep where, and whose hens are whose. Once this order is determined, it rarely changes as the lower chickens are generally too scared to challenge a chicken higher than them.

When introducing new, younger chickens to the flock, it is best to get more new chicks than old hens, and overwhelm the new flock with the younger birds. However, do not add the younger ones until they are big enough to stand a chance in a fight. This is because chickens will pick on the smaller, weaker birds. An exception to this is when a mother hen raises the babies herself, as she will instinctively fight to defend them.

One way to disrupt the pecking order is to remove some of the older hens as you add new ones. This throws off the established order and helps ease the new chickens into the flock. You can also use treats and distractions to help with the introduction of new chickens. For example, hang a treat just out of reach of the chickens, or feed them treats during the introductions.

Introduce new chicks slowly

Chickens have a pecking order that determines which chicken is at the top, which is at the bottom, and where all the other chickens fall in between. Once this order is determined, it rarely changes, as the lower chickens are generally too scared to challenge a chicken higher than them. This pecking order keeps the peace in the flock and establishes who gets to eat first, who gets to sleep where, and whose hens are whose. Hence, letting new chickens invade their space feels like an invasion. Therefore, it is best to get all your chicks at once and raise them together. However, there are times when adding new chickens to your flock is unavoidable.

When introducing new chicks to the flock, it is important to do it slowly and gradually. This gives the flock time to adjust to a change in the pecking order and prevents segregation, which can lead to a divided flock. It also reduces bullying and fighting, as the new chickens can be accepted by the flock without conflict. Proper integration can also help prevent unwanted behaviours, such as sleeping in nesting boxes, from developing when hens are under stress due to a pecking order change.

To introduce new chicks slowly, you can start by placing the new chickens near your old chickens but not with them. For example, you can put them in an upside-down crate inside the hen house, allowing the chickens to see and interact with each other while maintaining a safe distance. This setup can be maintained for a couple of days or even a week. During this time, you can stage introduction "play dates" for your flock, allowing them to interact in a supervised setting. After this initial period, you can continue to facilitate short periods of supervised "together time" each day, gradually increasing the duration as the chickens get used to each other.

It is also important to note that baby chicks should not be added to a flock of adult hens or older pullets. It is recommended to wait until the new chickens are at least 8 weeks old and preferably closer to 12-14 weeks old, or when they are about the same size as the smallest member of your flock. This helps to ensure the safety of the younger birds and gives them the confidence to interact with the older chickens.

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