Chicks and Free Range Question

[BarredBuff]

When my chicks leave the brooder they are going to merge with the adults which free range. I do not have a suitable run for them, if they are turned out together will the younger ones be protected by the adults?

 

[KellyHM]

I'd be more worried about the adults being the predators. They don't always take kindly to "intruders" at first. As long as there is a big enough area the chicks should be able to stay away from them. How old will the chicks be at that point?

 

[BarredBuff]

Quote:
The chicks will be 7- 8 weeks old, we are redoing the coop soon, and I am gonna put a wall between the two groups for the first week so they get accquainted and the adults can see em. Would that work?

 

[KellyHM]

That should be good. The adults will still put them in their places when they first meet them outside the coop, but it shouldn't be a big deal as long as the younger ones have room to get away from them.