3 flocks! Help!

[Kingsley11743]

I may have gotten a bit out of control. I have four adult buff orpingtons (1 is a rooster), two 8 week black australorps, two 3 week barred rocks and one 3 week white rock. The babies are in the house. The teenagers are in a separate crate in my coop with the big girls & roo. When can I let the teenagers & adults mingle? Teenagers are getting big but I just don't know how big they need to be to safely mingle with the grownups. And then how do I keep their feed separate? The teenagers can't eat the layer feed yet, right? What should I do?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depending on your space, you could probably introduce any time but if space is limited, it's best to introduce when they're like sizes.
Feed them all a grower or all flock type feed and provide crushed oyster shell in a separate container for the layers.

 

[SClaire]

I may have gotten a bit out of control. I have four adult buff orpingtons (1 is a rooster), two 8 week black australorps, two 3 week barred rocks and one 3 week white rock. The babies are in the house. The teenagers are in a separate crate in my coop with the big girls & roo. When can I let the teenagers & adults mingle? Teenagers are getting big but I just don't know how big they need to be to safely mingle with the grownups. And then how do I keep their feed separate? The teenagers can't eat the layer feed yet, right? What should I do?

Hi Kingsley and welcome to the forum

Sounds like your flock has grown quickly!

You could feed the teenagers inside a chicken tractor to keep them separate?

Also might be worth sharing in https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/2/managing-your-flock

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens! I am glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Kingsley11743]

Thanks. Basically the babes are still in the house but I've got an old playpen in the coop for the teens. It's covered so the grownups can't jump in. Just wondered about food. And seeing if I could let them mingle but I guess not for a few more weeks. Ugh.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Sounds like you have a lovely flock! Good luck interrogating the new birds. I just recently wrote an article on introducing new birds. Here it is. I hope it's helpful https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

You should feed them all the chick food until they are all old enough to be eating the adult feed.

 

[SClaire]

Thanks. Basically the babes are still in the house but I've got an old playpen in the coop for the teens. It's covered so the grownups can't jump in. Just wondered about food. And seeing if I could let them mingle but I guess not for a few more weeks. Ugh.

It seems like a long time, but the it isn't. Better to wait and do it right!

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

White rocks.

I'm trying to sell a breeding pair. I want to get rid of the roo but it would be easier to sell him with a female.

 

[nj2wv]

welcome to BYC !!