Mixing chickens

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baker06

baker06

In the Brooder
6 Years
Jun 30, 2013
26
0
22
Ohio
I have 6 chicks that are about 7 weeks old and 3 hens. The chicks are about 1/3 the size of the hens, I've had the chicks in the coop for Atleast 2 weeks just seprrated from the hens. When can I take the fence down? Or what if I cut a hole in the dividing fence so the chicks can get away from the hens if need be ??
 
baker06 said:
Will the chicks know to go through the hole for safety?
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I honestly have no idea. You would think they would learn if shown, though.
baker06 said:
Also if I mix them should I feed the adults starter feed?
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Yes. Basically you can feed any chicken any standard formula, except for feeding layer to young chicks. Even if it's laying hens eating medicated chick starter, it's not a problem and you can eat the eggs, as long as the medication is amprolium, which it usualy is. Some people feed their whole flock a grower or flock raiser rather than ever use layer, so they don't have to worry about young chicks getting too much calcium -- or for that matter, roosters getting too much calcium. I don't think anyone has ever proven that the calcium levels in layer harm roosters (cocks,) and certainly many a cock lives his entire life eating layer, but it just makes sense to me since he certainly doesn't need that much calcium. It';s simple enough to keep a small container of oyster shell out for laying hens who want it. IME they don't take much of it.
 
I cut a small hole in the divider and it seems to be working. But there doesn't seem to be much pecking as long as the chicks don't get super close or in the hens face..
 

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