Assimilating the girls

[burt4750]

I have 2 bantam and 1 regular size chicks that are about 1-1/2 months old and 6 regular size chicks that are almost 2-1/2 weeks old. The six chicks are not much smaller than the bantams, but the regular size 1-1/2 month old is huge. II have the two sets in separate extra large dog cages and are placed side by side. How long do I have to wait to put all the chicks together and how do I go about doing it?

 

[aart]

Do you have a coop too?
Will the crate with the youngers, and their heater, fit inside?
That would be ideal, the olders are ready to be without heat and probably need more space.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, what do you have to work with? What size (in feet) are your coop(s) and run(s). Do you have electricity out there? Do you free range? Photos could really help.

 

[burt4750]

Yes, what do you have to work with? What size (in feet) are your coop(s) and run(s). Do you have electricity out there? Do you free range? Photos could really help.

The coop isn't finished yet. When done it will be 5' x 10'. I do have electricity. And my run, when built, will be approximately 5' x 12'.

 

[burt4750]

Do you have a coop too?
Will the crate with the youngers, and their heater, fit inside?
That would be ideal, the olders are ready to be without heat and probably need more space.

The coop isn't finished yet. When done it will be 5' x 10'. I do have electricity. And my run, when built, will be approximately 5' x 12'. Right now both sets (older and younger) are in separate dog cages 3' x 5'. I have them in my sunroom so they can be socialized with us. The larger ones are spoiled rotten, but I haven't had much time to work with the smaller ones since I am working like a dog to get the coop finished! Love having them close by, but my house is dusty, dusty, dusty!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

In Lexington and with those ages when the coop is finished move the older ones to the coop and move the younger ones with their dog crate to the coop. If the younger are four weeks old by then you do not need to provide any heat. Keep them all in the coop only for maybe a week.

Let the older ones into the run. When they are used to being in the run, let the others out when you can be around to observe. If things go OK, you are done. If you have issues lock them back in their crate for a few days. Come back on here and tell us what happened. We can go from there.