Housing new chicks

[HorsesandBirds]

I'm new here and have a few basic questions..

-How much space will 12 chicks need?
-How old do they have to be to go outside in the coop with three adult laying hens? (Or, can they be put in with the laying hens at all...?) I am thinking of getting Cornish X and the hens are RI Reds
-It's still really cold here. How warm does it have to be for their little chick coop to be kept outdoors? There's nowhere good in our small house. I can keep the coop inside a barn, though.

Thanks!

 

[HorsesandBirds]

Oh and one more question! If I get Cornish X chicks and another egg-laying breed at the same time, can they grow up together in the same coop?

 

[HorsesandBirds]

No one?

 

[momiphouph]

Im still learning as I go but I will try to answer a few of these for you. I believe the chicks should be about 5 weeks before going outside BUT I would wait until they are much older before putting them with your adult hens. The chicks should be old enough to be able to defend themself against the adult hens. They will try to establish peaking order which would put the younger hens at a disadvantage and the larger birds could kill them. I know BYC has several great threads to help with putting them together when the time is right. I hope this helps! Hopefully someone else will jump in here and offer some more help! BYC is an AWESOME forum with lots of very friendly people!
Just to add, I think they would be ok in the barn... maybe with a heat lamp?