At what age

[Stephens]

What is a good age to introduce chicks into the coop with old chickens. I have pullets that are 12 weeks old, some that are 8 weeks old.

I have them both in separate mini coops now, but need the mini coops for my 4week old.

 

[Redhead Hen]

I just put my babies out with our big girls last week. The chicks were about a month old and the big girls were pushing 2 months old. I put the chicks in the coop, but had them separated. The big girls could see the chicks and hear them, but not touch them. I kept it like that for 2 days and nights. Then I let the babies loose. The big girls did peck a bit at the babies, but nothing serious at all. I guess the big girls were just letting the babies know they were older and in charge!

It has been almost a week since they have been loose together and yesterday they all were getting along like they were best friends! I would try to do something similar to what I did. When you let them all together, just watch them. If someone gets too mean and it seems that someone will get hurt, split them up again. I am sure others will jump in on this! Lots of people integrate chickens of different ages and breeds and there is a lot of experience on this topic here!