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When should I mix my 3 chickens with my 2 chickens?

post #1 of 6
6/20/12 at 11:40am
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

I have three Buff Orpington chicks that are about 6 weeks old. I also have two adult Wyandottes, and I'm looking for advice on when to mix them.

 

The chicks are living in a small coop in the larger run area, so the older girls have had a good chance over the last couple of weeks to see and listen to the chicks. When the chicks first came outside both adult chickens tried to peck at them through the hardware cloth. That seems to have calmed down, but the chicks still get the hairy eyeball from time to time.

 

So..when would everyone suggest I mix them? I've heard two months, which seems to be coming up fast.

 

Actually, I'm also wondering when the chicks will read full size. I can't imagine that in two weeks they'll suddenly be big enough that a peck on the head from the larger chickens wouldn't be dangerous.

 

Thanks for all the help. For a first time chicken keeper, this forum is great!

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post #2 of 6
6/20/12 at 12:06pm

If your run is large enough that the chicks have room to run away, you could start letting everyone mix in the run.  If you free range, you could let the hens out and give the chicks the run for a few hours then let the hen back into the occupied run.  It's three to two so the chicks should be able to avoid serious trouble.  I usually let mine start mingling then move the youngsters to the big girl house once they start holding their own when the scratch is scattered at treat time.  If things get too rough you can always send everyone to their own area.  Food would be my main concern.  Chicks don't need layer feed until they are ready to lay (about 6 months)

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post #3 of 6
6/20/12 at 12:11pm
Thread Starter 

That's interesting about the food.

 

So what do you do? I want to mix them sooner than 6 months. I can't put out chick food and expect the older girls not to eat it. And it sounds like the chicks shouldnt eat the layer pellets for 6 months or so.

 

Is it that they can't eat the layer pellets so early, or it's just more than they need?

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post #4 of 6
6/20/12 at 2:07pm

Layer pellets have calcium for the hens to produce nice hard shells.  Chicks who aren't laying don't need the calcium.  The excess is damaging to their kidneys.  The alternative, and what I'm going to do, is to feed everyone a general flock raiser  or starter/grower type food.  It is suitable for all ages, There will be oyster shells served "on the side" for the hens to eat as they feel the need. 

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post #5 of 6
6/20/12 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by emrys View Post

Layer pellets have calcium for the hens to produce nice hard shells.  Chicks who aren't laying don't need the calcium.  The excess is damaging to their kidneys.  The alternative, and what I'm going to do, is to feed everyone a general flock raiser  or starter/grower type food.  It is suitable for all ages, There will be oyster shells served "on the side" for the hens to eat as they feel the need. 

Like you do my parents feed their flock all purpose poultry and then a dish of oyster shells, plus "scratch"  (cracked corn) tossed to them daily. 
My dad says it's bad for the rooster to eat layer pellets as he cannot lay eggs LOL. 

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post #6 of 6
6/20/12 at 2:31pm

I have asked the same thing and what I have learned is to let them out with your older chickens when the chickens are close to the same size or the same size,but,you might want to start letting them mingle with the older chickens earlier,though.

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