Can 10 1/2 week olds go in with the flock?

[yellowflower]

I have 2 americauna's, EE's that are 10 1/2 weeks old and they've been right next to the main flock since they were 2 weeks with just a fence in between. One of them is constantly pacing and watches the others go in the big coop like she wants to go with them. My question is can I? Is it too early? There still smaller, maybe 3/4 the size of my smallest hen. Also one of them is most likely a rooster. Will my older rooster not like him in there. He still chirps like a baby, and if he does turn out to be a roo I will be rehoming him. Thankyou!

 

[Mahonri]

I don't like to mix them until they are almost at point of lay. I usually start to integrate them at 16 weeks but I give my regular girls grower/finisher with oyster shell and extra treats.

I'll be putting a 17 week old in with the big girls this week along with two of the larger 15 week olds.

 

[yellowflower]

Thankyou, that's what I thought, just my daughter said she had done it with hers and it went fine. I'll just wait a few more weeks. Let them grow somemore.

 

[Opa]

I agree with Mahonri, it's better to wait until POL. The extra nutrients in starter/grower will give you much better birds. Also developing birds should be given layer, the extra calcium isn't good for them. You hear of people who have intregrated flocks of different ages without experiencing any problems, but you hear of more people having problems; sometimes with fatal results.