Integrating chicks

Hi, I have six 5 week old chickens I just moved out to the coop, when I went to the farm store the other day they had chicks on sale and I couldn't help myself and bought 5 more! They are about 3 weeks old I believe, I still have them inside the house in a brooder box. We live in Illinois and the temps are dipping down in the mid 30's at night this week. When should I move these new chicks out with the older ones? I currently have a heat lamp outside for the older girls still.

Thanks!

Why not just move them all into the coop together? If the new ones are just two weeks younger than the older ones, they probably will get along okay after they get accustomed to one another, and at three weeks, the new ones won't need a whole lot of heat. In fact, if you provide one heat source on the side where you place the new chicks, it should be just about right for the older chicks, who really don't need heat any more.

It is beneficial to do this because your two groups of chicks will form separate units otherwise. It's far better for them to think of themselves as one social unit than two because they will for the rest of their lives look at each other as being very close and this gives them enormous self confidence and they will be far less inclined to quarrel with each other.

Just provide a bit of security for the newcomers until it's obvious they are going to get along and the older ones won't seriously bully the younger ones. I would put up a temporary fence of window screen until they all get used to each other.

It will be good for the chicks and make your life much simpler.

Okay I moved them to the coop this morning, I made a brooder box out of cardboard and chicken wire for them to go in and half the light is over them and some is still over so the older girls can use it if needed.. When would be a good time to let them out to be with the older girls and no separation?? The older girls are checking them out and did a little bit of feather ruffling and our rooster checked them out too but other than that they are back to eating and wandering around the coop! Lol

Do you have adult chickens? You made reference to your rooster. Is he the only adult?

I would watch how the different age chicks behave with one another. By their demeanor towards one another, you will know when it's time to let them merge.

If you have an adult population of chickens, you'll need to give them time to become accustomed to having the chicks as part of the flock. When the time comes to merge them with any adults, you will need to provide safe refuges for the chicks to retreat to if they get bullied. The way to do this is to create a temporary safe area that the chicks can fit into but the adults can't.

Nope just six 5 week olds 4 pullets and 1 rooster and then the five 3 week olds.. And thanks for all the help!