Advice on when chicks can run with the big guys

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newhamplover

newhamplover

Chirping
Mar 27, 2016
98
28
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Okla.
I have 3 grown New Hamps & their 7, 4 week old chicks. Currently I shut the 3 up in the chicken house to let the little ones run & play several times a day. When I have them in their pen in the yard the adults seem to pay them little to no attention. I have seen no aggressive behavior from Harry to them but don't want anything to start or have him possibly hurt one. I am putting up a pic of them from this morning. At what age can I safely let the chicks run with their parents?

 
If they are their parenat that is probably the reason their not mean.

See how they react to them stuck in the run.Each day take them out in the run with the big guys for 2 weeks and then if things go easy release the 7 weeks old with them.
 
Yes they are all New Hamps. And thank you for the advice. Harry is a very sweet rooster & very protective of his hens. Can they be mean to chicks?
 
Yes.Newhampshires are semi aggressive and very competitive and territorial about things.They will possibloy be nice but there will be some arrangments.
 
I think I have 2 & possibly 3 roosters in the 7. The big guys free range & I have a huge yard. Do you think I could keep 1 roo or do you think this will be a big problem? Harry & the girls are 2 years old. My chicken house is 8 X 8 but they are only in it at night. The breeder I got them from had several roosters & they all ran together but they were in a huge open place. Harry has never been aggressive but he is extremely protective of his 2 hens. Will he be as protective over the chicks? Do you think they know these are their chicks? Thank you for your help. I had to post 1 more pic of them. This is my first time to hatch & I can't stop taking pics of them LOL.
 
They probably do not know.Roosters can learn to live together as long as theres is enough hens to keep satisfied.Even without the whole ratio rule they can still live together.If they grow up around their father the roos may not challenge him,but thats a 50/50 situation.Like I said their semi aggressive and competitive,so will just have to wait and see what time brings.
 
Thanks for your help. So far this has been such an enjoyable experience. I really do enjoy my chickens & that is why I wanted to add a few more. When I put the 7 eggs on I never dreamed all 7 would hatch. They have all been healthy & are growing so rapidly. When I put them up at night & get them out in the morning I can't believe how much they have grown. Everything has been so positive thus far & I don't want it to be bad when I start to put them together. Since I have never had any experience with that, all advice on making that a positive, & trying not to make any mistakes, is greatly appreciated. That part is really making me nervous.
 

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