help, introducing 4 week old chicks to 9 week old chickens.

[guppy guy]

i need to introduce my 12, 4 week old chicks to my 4, 9 week old chickens. i have a large coop and a pen for them to go outside in. the baby chicks are currently in a brooding box in my garage. please help me. thanks.
the 4 week old are.
2 Rhode island reds
2 black sex link
2 silver laced whyendots
2 barred Plymouth rocks
2 buff orpingtons
1 gold sex link
1 brown sex link

the 4 week old are, black australorps.

 

[chicmom]

Hi Guppy!

The adult birds can kill or injure the babies, so you have to be real careful. Can you put up a divider in the coop, so that they can see eachother, but not touch eachother for a while? That's how I introduce newbies to the flock.

 

[guppy guy]

thanks ill try it, i probably can how long should i have them divided how would i feed and water them i have an automatic water and a large feeder but the baby are going through the 1 quart feeder and waterier in 2 times a day.

 

[guppy guy]

i need help

 

[guppy guy]

ok i did that, how long do i wait?

 

[donrae]

At 9 and 4 weeks you shouldn't have much issues just combining them altogether. Be sure there is plenty of space, and rig up some hiding places for the littles, just things to hide behind and break line of sight from the older birds. Have at least 2 feeders and waterers for a while. Introduce younger birds at night.

 

[guppy guy]

thanks they are in the coop separated fro chicken wire, what kind of thing to hide in?

 

[aart]

Make a small door(or 2 doors) in the chicken wire wall separating them, door(s) small enough for the littlers to get thru but not the biggers.
Make sure the littlers know how to get thru the door(s) so they can escape the biggers if needed.
Put food and water on both sides of chicken wire wall.

 

[guppy guy]

oh thanks thats a great idea.

 

[chickamy]

It's tough but I agree with above. The littles need a safe place for a while. Time helps too!