Introducing incubator hatched chicks to the hen run

A week ago 9 eggs hatched in our incubator and are now in a brooder. The next step will be to move them in with the hens (there are 15 including a cock). How should they be be introduced into the hen run, and at what age? Also, are they likely to be attacked? Finally, we have a couple of cats that sleep in the barn...are they likely to be a threat during the day when they are all out together?

By the time they are about 8 weeks old they could go into the big run. The best way to introduce them is to have them either in a mini run in the main run or at the side of it so that they all get used to the sight and smell of each other for a couple of weeks before they are let loose with each other. Whilst they are small they are at risk from the cats once they are more like the older hens they should be fine.

I would be very careful. I think they would be best introduced gradually - under supervision. We introduced 10 pullets at about 14 weeks gradually to a flock of about 20 birds including cockerel. They got bullied at that age - although the cockerel didn't really bother them. What he did do at a later date was tread one of the smaller pullets and injure it. It was ok after being removed for a few weeks but I would let them get as old as is possible before you let them completely loose in there.

C

Also - ours were broody hatched and had been in an adjacent run for many weeks.