At what age can I move the chicks into the coop?

[Tomfieldenloveshichickens]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting some chicks. I just wanted to know what age I can move them into the coop with the older chickens. Do I need to gradually add them to the others.

Thanks

 

[annie3001]

hello.
about 8 weeks they can go in a coop. Graudually introuduce them to the other chickens. When i did this, it was from a wire cage. Because they are free range, i did let them mingle outside the coops all together.
I have also heard of people introucing chickens at night, (in the dark).
whatever you do, be sure you are present if needed.
good luck to you.

 

[Chick CJ]

About 8 weeks they will be "fully feathered" and be able to go into their coop. You will definitely have to introduce them gradually to your other chickens. The older chickens will want to show them their place and the pecking order will have to be reestablished. This will mean a lot of pecking and tussling going on and your chicks will still be quite small in comparison to the older ones. There are many posts on this web site regarding ways to do this. One way is to put them into the coop/run inside a wire cage for a few days so the other chickens can see them but not harm them. I think as the other poster said, free ranging them together is also a good idea as long as you are watching them. Then after some time, placing them on the roost at night after all the chickens have gone to bed may work also. Again, you would want to be watching to see how it goes and if it gets too crazy (keeping in mind there will be some tussling going on) and looks like someone is likely to get badly injured then seperate them again. I think it is a gradual process, but with patience can be done successfully. Good luck and I hope all goes well for you!
CJ

 

[abhaya]

I am doing this as we speak. My chicks are in a coop and run with my silkies. The big girls have been around them for a couple weeks and show no interest in them. I think monday when the weather warms up a bit I am gonna sneak them into the big coop at night and hope all goes well.