Can I let them mingle?

[spacemonkey333]

So I have 8 chicks that are 4 weeks old plus. I have a 1 year old silkie rooster, a 15 week old silver and Ameraucana hen, as well as a 19 week old RIR hen. My chicks have been in the coop, in a separate enclosure with my older chickens for 4 weeks. Is it ok to open the door and let them hang together?

 

[spacemonkey333]

I am questioning their age due to the comb sizes and body sizes. I feel like they are older than 4 weeks

 

[spacemonkey333]

Never mind. I just opened the door and my most calm hen started pecking at the head of one of the chicks. I’ll wait.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Gentle pecking (with the odd hard peck that doesn't draw blood) is expected. In chicken language your hen told that chick, you're lower on the totem pole kid! Each of your older birds will do this to each of the chicks, more often during this 'honeymoon' phase, and less often as time goes on and the chicks mature. Absolutely nothing to worry about, provided that nobody is being outright bullied and blood is not drawn. IF someone is injured to the point of bleeding, remove THAT chick, (isolating them in their normal 'look don't touch' area that you brooded them in and treat them for their wound, apply blu-kote in any color EXCEPT RED, and allow the wound to scab over, without any bleeding (a couple days) and let them back in with the big birds. Chickens will be chickens and establishing pecking order while your babies are still young is MUCH easier on all concerned.

 

[spacemonkey333]

Gentle pecking (with the odd hard peck that doesn't draw blood) is expected. In chicken language your hen told that chick, you're lower on the totem pole kid! Each of your older birds will do this to each of the chicks, more often during this 'honeymoon' phase, and less often as time goes on and the chicks mature. Absolutely nothing to worry about, provided that nobody is being outright bullied and blood is not drawn. IF someone is injured to the point of bleeding, remove THAT chick, (isolating them in their normal 'look don't touch' area that you brooded them in and treat them for their wound, apply blu-kote in any color EXCEPT RED, and allow the wound to scab over, without any bleeding (a couple days) and let them back in with the big birds. Chickens will be chickens and establishing pecking order while your babies are still young is MUCH easier on all concerned.

Ok. So as long as I am observing it should be ok. They are well aware of each other. I just want the little guys out without harm

 

[spacemonkey333]

Gentle pecking (with the odd hard peck that doesn't draw blood) is expected. In chicken language your hen told that chick, you're lower on the totem pole kid! Each of your older birds will do this to each of the chicks, more often during this 'honeymoon' phase, and less often as time goes on and the chicks mature. Absolutely nothing to worry about, provided that nobody is being outright bullied and blood is not drawn. IF someone is injured to the point of bleeding, remove THAT chick, (isolating them in their normal 'look don't touch' area that you brooded them in and treat them for their wound, apply blu-kote in any color EXCEPT RED, and allow the wound to scab over, without any bleeding (a couple days) and let them back in with the big birds. Chickens will be chickens and establishing pecking order while your babies are still young is MUCH easier on all concerned.

I guess I need to but blu kote first

 

[rosemarythyme]

When you say the chicks have been in an separate enclosure in the coop, that means both sides have been able to see each other that whole time, correct?

Any photos of your coop and run? Really helps if you have extra feeders and ample clutter and space in the run especially, to provide the chicks with spots to get away from the adults if needed. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

I guess I need to but blu kote first

If no one was harmed you wouldn't need it.

 

[spacemonkey333]

When you say the chicks have been in an separate enclosure in the coop, that means both sides have been able to see each other that whole time, correct?

Any photos of your coop and run? Really helps if you have extra feeders and ample clutter and space in the run especially, to provide the chicks with spots to get away from the adults if needed. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/


If no one was harmed you wouldn't need it.

They were in the coop together. They have been able to see and hear each other. The chicks were in the coop, but in a big dog pen basically. Separate food/water. I just covered the chicks brooder with a tarp so the big ones didn’t poop on them. It’s not huge, but it’s like 14x11’ coop with a good size run. I know I need to expand.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They were in the coop together. They have been able to see and hear each other. The chicks were in the coop, but in a big dog pen basically.

Just making sure they could see each other since I've seen some "no touch" chick set ups that are "no see" as well.

The coop actually has some clutter already, how about the run? Even if you free range some clutter closer to the coop would give the babies some options to take cover.

 

[spacemonkey333]

The run is pretty straight up wide open