How long do I acclimate smaller chicks with larger chicks?

[sheeshshe]

I have 4, 9 weekers and 2, 5 weekers. They are living in the coop together now for about 4 nights. The smaller ones are in a bird cage within the coop. How long do I do this for until I can take the bird cage out?

The older ones are 2 buff orpingtons and 2 cinnamon queens... the 2 smaller ones are buff orpingtons.

When they are outside together they sometimes flock together, but for short times. The larger ones peck on the smaller ones only sometimes... they don't active seek them out to peck at them if that makes sense...

How long should I keep them in the cage? I don't like how their water is getting really nasty on the floor and its hard to change out getting it out of the cage

 

[kassy68]

Hi, I am totally new to chickens this year and am trying the same thing.. Only I have 26, 6 week olds and 4,1 yr olds and 2, 9 week olds .. they have been in the same coop divided by only welded wire for 4 weeks.. I have just started with short outings in the big girl coop.. My 4 older girls chase them, but have not seemed to actually peck at them.. Its more fun for them to eat each others food... I've been doing this for the last couple days under supervision for the first 20 minutes and then I leave them for a couple hours and then shut there screen door at bedtime...
My question is what do I do with the 2, yes 2 chicks I hatched 2 weeks ago.. they are smelling up the house and I can't put them in with either..

 

[sheeshshe]

anyone else know how long to keep them in the cage before releasing them into the coop fully?

 

[cmom]

Since they have been together try putting them together and watch them carefully for awhile. If the older ones get to aggressive then separate them. There will be some pecking as they establish their pecking order.