MarlaMac
Songster
I have six 20-day-old blue australorps. They have been in a separate part of our coop since day 1. A few days ago we integrated a 6 week old lone hatch, broody raised black australorp with them. That relationship is going very well, albeit, the 6 week old is missing the free range freedom she/he (I think it is a boy) it once had.
We bulit a 48 sqft "run" for these babies. They come in and out of their coop space into their run freely throughout the day. They all seem happy. The big birds (14 hens, 1 rooster) "visit" the babies throughout the day through the fence. I am still having to encourage the 20 day olds to retreat to the coop at night for sleep. They have had free access to their run for 2 full days. This is the third day.
When should I allow supervised visits with the bigger chickens? I have only had chicks with a broody momma,so this is the first time I will be doing the introductions to the larger flock. My hope is that the six week old will help teach the younger chicks who to stay away from and that the younger gals will follow this chick's lead.
Note: My flock free ranges all day. In the evening, about and hour before sunset, they hang out in the shade of the coop, eat and drink before finally making their way into the coop for the night. This is when I would have a supervised visit. Currently they littles hang out in their run "with" the big guys through the fence as both groups scratch around.
Thoughts?
We bulit a 48 sqft "run" for these babies. They come in and out of their coop space into their run freely throughout the day. They all seem happy. The big birds (14 hens, 1 rooster) "visit" the babies throughout the day through the fence. I am still having to encourage the 20 day olds to retreat to the coop at night for sleep. They have had free access to their run for 2 full days. This is the third day.
When should I allow supervised visits with the bigger chickens? I have only had chicks with a broody momma,so this is the first time I will be doing the introductions to the larger flock. My hope is that the six week old will help teach the younger chicks who to stay away from and that the younger gals will follow this chick's lead.
Note: My flock free ranges all day. In the evening, about and hour before sunset, they hang out in the shade of the coop, eat and drink before finally making their way into the coop for the night. This is when I would have a supervised visit. Currently they littles hang out in their run "with" the big guys through the fence as both groups scratch around.
Thoughts?
