I have 5 young chickens I want to introduce to my 4 older hens. Is 7-8 weeks too young? They have been in pens next to each other for 2 weeks now.
The other day I put them together, closely monitored and there wasn't any chasing down and abusing but they certainly did peck(mainly the big hen at the bottom of the totem pole did, I think she was trying to seize the opportunity to gain some pecking order)
They were only together for about 20 min before the babies went back into their safe pen. What should I do? Keep them apart for a while longer? I just worry because 2 of the babies are silky's and they are pretty small.
I have a video too I can post. It was a hot day so could they have been calmer than normal? Also we put the babies in a guinea pig cage at night, and set the cage in the coop with the hens so they sleep together.
Babies on left and 2 adults on right
Here is the link to the video
The other day I put them together, closely monitored and there wasn't any chasing down and abusing but they certainly did peck(mainly the big hen at the bottom of the totem pole did, I think she was trying to seize the opportunity to gain some pecking order)
They were only together for about 20 min before the babies went back into their safe pen. What should I do? Keep them apart for a while longer? I just worry because 2 of the babies are silky's and they are pretty small.
I have a video too I can post. It was a hot day so could they have been calmer than normal? Also we put the babies in a guinea pig cage at night, and set the cage in the coop with the hens so they sleep together.
Babies on left and 2 adults on right
Here is the link to the video
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