Chicks of many ages, safe to combine?

[Raven625]

I know this question has been asked several times to varying degrees. And I have read a lot, but would like to post my specific situation and get suggestions from the more experienced! I have read the tricks to get them to get alon and such, but my main concern is weather they are too young or small to endure the rigors of establishing pecking order...etc
My main goal is to eventually move all pullets to the hen house, leaving the Roos in their current location(s) to grow out for breeding or sale/dinner etc

I have chicks of 3 age groups:
3- 8 week olds (2 pullets and a roo)
9- 5 week olds (3 Roos and 6 pullets that I can tell)
6- 3 1/2 week olds (no idea on sexes)
I also have 5 laying hens (all between 3-4 years old)

Currently, I have three areas where they can remain together for now in their respective groups. It won't last long as they will end up growing out of their space, which is only meant for 3-4 adults in each coop.

Should I try to separate the Roos from the oldest groups and get them to get along before they get much older and try grouping the pullets together?

These are really nice birds that I have high hopes for, I don't want this going badly as I'm very nervous. Obviously, some picking is going to occur, I'm sure! But of corse want to avoid disaster. This is the fist time I've run into this (I'm still new at it!).

(A lot of these chicks are Swedish Flower, and tend to be kind of soft birds as far as dominance and aggression. Another is Amerucana- they are my first pure breed Amerucanas and seem to be ornery and flighty. The other group is one SFH and two Barnevelders.)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!

 

[QueenMisha]

I would remove the roos, then combine the 8 and 5 week olds. Once the 3 week olds reach 5 or 6 weeks, I would add them to the mix as well. Once those groups have gotten used to each other and bonded, I would release them into the area with the laying hens.

 

[Raven625]

Thank you QueenMisha!

 

[azygous]

I agree that the three-week olds need to be kept segregated from the older chicks, but I would place them so they can begin socializing with them.

You can begin integrating the older chicks with the adult hens immediately, and they can be placed together after a short period of getting acquainted through a mesh barrier first.

Have you heard of the panic room method of integration? You rig up a temporary pen with pop holes small enough for the chicks to squeeze through but not the adults, about 5x7 inches. That should accommodate them until they reach three months. The chicks retreat to this pen whenever the pecking order surpasses their abilities to cope. Food and water are in this enclosure to ensure they aren't bullied away from necessities.

The youngest chicks can spend time in this enclosure, too, during the day as weather permits. Just add another mesh barrier to spare them being over-run by the older chicks. In a couple weeks, you may be able to merge the youngest with the older chicks, and they can begin the integration process with the adult hen, too.

Next time you are overcome with chicken math, add the chicks to the existing chicks right away to avoid this juggling act later. Chicks of different ages can be safely added as long as they are within a couple weeks of each other. At the very least, raise them side by side within view of each other so they socialize as they grow.

 

[Raven625]

Azygous, thank you!
My older hens free range, and hang with the 8 week chicks already (outside of the enclosure). This has been going on for 2-3 weeks now, so it may not be so bad with them. The older gals will also be able to do the same with the other two enclosures (once the runs are finished). I actually thought ahead for once- when we created the latest coop, it was made with a double hex wire divider. The youngest chicks can see the 5 week olds (practically live with them really), and there is a door on the divider wall so I can merge them together eventually. It sounds like I may be on the right track with this then. I took on more then I should have this spring lol, now I'm scrambling to get it straightened out before cold weather hits! Kind of overwhelming!
I'll make myself a panic room, thanks for that idea!!
All of my enclosures are larger then what the birds need, and are also separated into paddocks to rotate the birds to fresh grass when they can't be free, I'm hoping this helps too!

 

[QueenMisha]

I agree that the three-week olds need to be kept segregated from the older chicks, but I would place them so they can begin socializing with them.

You can begin integrating the older chicks with the adult hens immediately, and they can be placed together after a short period of getting acquainted through a mesh barrier first.

Have you heard of the panic room method of integration? You rig up a temporary pen with pop holes small enough for the chicks to squeeze through but not the adults, about 5x7 inches. That should accommodate them until they reach three months. The chicks retreat to this pen whenever the pecking order surpasses their abilities to cope. Food and water are in this enclosure to ensure they aren't bullied away from necessities.

The youngest chicks can spend time in this enclosure, too, during the day as weather permits. Just add another mesh barrier to spare them being over-run by the older chicks. In a couple weeks, you may be able to merge the youngest with the older chicks, and they can begin the integration process with the adult hen, too.

Next time you are overcome with chicken math, add the chicks to the existing chicks right away to avoid this juggling act later. Chicks of different ages can be safely added as long as they are within a couple weeks of each other. At the very least, raise them side by side within view of each other so they socialize as they grow.

Wow, just gotta say I love the idea of a panic room. Never heard of that method before. I'm gonna put one of these into my banty/growing pen ASAP!