Am I doing the right thing??

[hatchaholic]

We have chickens, turkeys, and geese that are 21 weeks old. They sleep in the coop all night, then we let them out in the yard all day.

I've also got some 7 week old babies that were in the barn, but we've put them in cages inside the coop with the other birds so that everyone can start getting used to each other.

Tonight we let the little ones out of the cages. A couple of them got into some scuffles with one of the roosters, a couple of hens, and a few turkeys. But nothing too major.

Are we doing the right thing by letting the little ones out while we are back there to keep an eye on things? Or, are they too young? Most of them are already almost as big as the banty cochins...

Is there a better approach we should be taking? This is the first time I've combined ages, so I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[justusnak]

Sounds to me like you are doing it the right way. There will be scuffles...just make sure it doesnt go too far. After a few days of letting them be together....try to put the little ones in there AFTER dark...roosting time. Seems like when they wake up together, they get along better. Good luck...sounds like you have it all under controll!

 

[hatchaholic]

Thanks. We will definately try putting them in after dark. Probably this weekend when we can keep a closer eye on things...