How to Introduce Chicks to Grown Hens

Hens socialize in a hierarchical manner, resulting in the term "pecking order." Therefore, it can be stressful adding new chicks to a coop and ensuring that they coexist peacefully with older hens. As soon as the chicks enter the new environment, the ranking process must begin again, resulting in persistent squawking and scuffling. After about a week, however, the residents will have reestablished a hierarchy and their behavior will return to normal. You can also take action to make the process easier.

Things You'll Need

  • Private pen
  • Chicken wire
  • Chunk of cabbage
  • String or wire
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure that the chicks are at least six weeks old before introducing them to the hens. Never place brand new chicks in a new coop with different adult chickens because the hens may kill the babies if they are not large enough to defend themselves and struggle for a role in the hierarchy.

    • 2

      Quarantine the new chicks before introducing them to your hens. The chicks could have been exposed to an illness even if they do not demonstrate symptoms. Avoid spreading disease by keeping the chicks in a separate pen for a month.

    • 3

      Prevent violent fighting during the first week that the birds cohabitate by placing them in the same pen but erecting a temporary chicken wire fence between the hens and the new chicks. In this way both groups of birds can gradually become accustomed to the presence of the others in their living space.

    • 4

      After the first week, remove the chicken wire fence that separates the two groups during the night. Once the chickens awake with the sun, they will be more interested in eating than engaging in conflict with the newcomers.