Can I mix my 3 week old chicks with my 8 week old chicks?

[Juju2773]

Can I mix my 3 week old chicks with my 8 week old chicks? They’ve been in the same area with a fence in between for almost a week. Today I noticed they had squeezed through an area and are all walking together on one side. They don’t seem to have any quarrels or even interest in each other. Brushing against each other to squeeze back and forth to the other side. Should I just remove the barrier and let them be as one group? Or is it too soon? I haven’t seen one peck or poke in about an hour so far.

 

[Juju2773]

There are 3 that are eight weeks old and 3 that are 3 weeks old. Although all aren’t in the photos. The breeds, the older ones are a mix of cream legbar mom, isbar dad. ( they’ll lay aqua eggs). The 3 week old ones are Swedish flower hens

 

[drinkoj]

Yes, I'd personally do it this weekend to get them closer to 4 weeks of age. Here's what I am using, as I integrated my 4 week olds with my 12 week olds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

 

[drinkoj]

Basically just give the younger ones something to duck under/through like a concrete brick or something that can fit under or through to get away. But it sounds like they already integrated themselves.

 

[Juju2773]

Yes, I'd personally do it this weekend to get them closer to 4 weeks of age. Here's what I am using, as I integrated my 4 week olds with my 12 week olds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

Thanks for the response. I wish I had all that space. I decided to take the wall down since I’ve been keeping an eye on them for a few hours now and they are all nestled down right next to each other. Even some preening of each other. I think I’ll try it and see how it plays out for today. Looks very good right now. I’m happy about this because I only have a small space for them if divided. Now it’s all open and they seem to be enjoying the new open space. A panic door is a great idea too. Maybe I’ll look for something I can use, just in case for tonight.

 

[Juju2773]

Basically just give the younger ones something to duck under/through like a concrete brick or something that can fit under or through to get away. But it sounds like they already integrated themselves.

Thanks. I’ll look for something to use. For now... things are going great. They are nestled down all together on the floor.

 

[drinkoj]

Heck, a cardboard box with a few small doors they can escape into and out of should work. Mine when in the coop with the big girls just dash behind a brick or the waterer. Here is what I have setup for mine now