Hey all, I have three 7 week old chicks and two 3 week old ducks that have been raised together. I've been letting them out in the yard during the day with the older hens, silkie roo and 9 week old pullets. The babies have started following the others into the coop when they want to rest and get some shade, and everyone is getting along great. The older chickens are very friendly toward them. Right now they are in the brooder, but it's getting pretty small for them and they don't usually sit under the heat lamp - the ducks especially are always as far away as they can get, even at night when it gets down to about 50 degrees. Could they stay in the chicken coop? It's ventilated at the top but there are four solid walls and shavings at the bottom and I could add some hay to help retain heat. They are so happy when they get to come out of the brooder and run around outside with the big girls, and keeping them in the coop would be so much easier. Plus since everyone is molting, I could probably switch the layer out and just keep everyone on flock raiser for a few weeks. Does this sound safe enough to try out?
Yes, get them out there, they are old enough and it sounds like they are already integrated with your flock, and switch to a grower as you said.
