First "play date" in the yard. I am optimistic ( I think! )

[starsevol]

Today was the first day I let the chicks and two hens loose in the yard together. The chicks are 6 and 7 weeks old and have had a pen alongside the big girls pen for a week. We fed the adults treats while the chicks wandered about and a few times the big girls wandered away a short distance and ignored the chicks. A few times, however, Molly the.cochin who is not the alpha, chased the chicks and pecked and pulled a few feathers. Penny the Orpington who is the alpha stood straight and gave them the stink eye and. They scattered. Sadly, the play date was interupted due to rain.i plan to do this daily for at least a week before sneaking them in at night. Today we are headed to Tractor Supply for more feeders, waterers, feed, wormed, Corid, and egg cleaner...and maybe an egg carton or 2. We also plan to put some branches in the run so the little ones have a chance to escape.i am comforted by the fact that there are twice as many chicks as hens!

How does this sound so far?

 

[lightchick]

I've been letting my almost 4 week old chicks to "free range" with my almost 13 week old pullets and I've been having pretty much the same problem. The older pullet always chase the younger!
I'm sure they'll get used to each other...

 

[Den in Penn]

Free ranging with room to get away and stay away from an adult is one thing. But putting to small a chick in a enclosed coop with little or no room to get away and hide is something else. Sure hiding places help, but an they can be relentless in chasing down intruders. If the chicks aren't big enough to take the pecks, they will be at risk. If you want to put them in the coop at a young age you should have a creep where they can get into an area where the adults can't. It should have feed and water so they don't have to go out.