How to Raise Chicks With Adult Chickens

A flock of chickens has a structured pecking order. Chicks needs to be introduced gradually into the flock to avoid older chickens seeing them as intruders and attacking them, wounding or potentially killing the chicks. The new chicks need to be in sight of the older chickens but be protected. When they are old enough, they will be free to roam with the older chickens, while still having a safe place to retreat to in case of attack.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken wire
  • Feeder
  • Waterer
  • Heat lamp
  • Wire cutter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a fenced area with chicken wire inside the coop. Count 1 square foot per chick and make a structure with those dimensions. It should be at least 2 feet high and include a top that opens and closes.

    • 2

      Install the waterer, feeder and heat lamp inside the enclosure. House, water and feed the chicks inside the enclosure for four weeks.

    • 3

      Use wire cutters to cut a hole in the side of the enclosure large enough for the young pullets to enter and exit but not large enough for a large chicken to get in. Gradually decrease over two weeks the amount of food left in the enclosure to force the pullet to get out.

    • 4

      Check for wounded pullets and for signs that pullets are not eating enough. If too many of the pullets are wounded, close the hole for a few more days and reopen it when the pullets are healed. If the pullets do not gain weight fast enough, increase the amount of food inside the enclosure.

    • 5

      Increase the size of the hole periodically to account for the growth of the pullets.

    • 6

      Remove the enclosure or start with a new batch of chicks when the pullets are integrated into the flock.