How to asimilate new chicks

[229Mick]

I've got 5 one year old chickens, and three two month old chicks that I want to take from the garage and move out to the yard with the others. I've put them out for day's a couple occasions, just to get them used to it. They tend to stay behind the AC condenser, and go out only for little runs along the perimeter of the House, into one of their favorite dirt bath locations, and over to the pond on the odd occasion. I'm wondering how best to get them into the groove of being outside chickens?
The original batch, I would go out each evening and shoo them all into the coop and close the door, at this point I just let them go in when they want and come out when they want. The entire back yard is fenced with a 6 foot fence so that works well, but since the new ones aren't really making friends with the old ones, I'm wondering if I'll need to take them in each night or if there's a better way to get the new chicks to head in. One of the 'grown ups' does tend to peck at the little ones occasionally, so I'm not even sure how that'll work out.

Also, once that's figured out, since they can't hop up to the roosting bar yet, should I figure out something for them to roost on, or just let them sit till they're big enough?

Thanks for any input!!

Mick

 

[Den in Penn]

Young chickens tend to be cautious when first introduced to the outdoors, and will hang in cover more. The new ones also tend to hang out together sometimes even long after they have reached full size and are integrated into the pecking order. If all the one is doing is just pecking and not chasing, that's to be expected and is alright. At two months they can get on the roosts. They should be able to fly better then the heavier one year olds.. Anyway, giving them more roost space may not be a bad thing. I know you want to get them out of the garage, but if you can wait till they are a little older when you put them in the coop it will go better. Since they are already ranging together it should be around two to four weeks more. If they start sharing the same space especially around the feeder with out much hassle they are there. Pick a night and throw them in the coop. If you can watch them in the morning when they get up.

 

[4 the Birds]

+1
At 2 months old, they are ready for the outside coop. Hopefully you have at least 1 ft of roost bar/bird (I like to have more). I move mine out to the coop at 6 weeks of age and then another 2 weeks in an isolated area of the coop/run. A pecking order will be worked out but they should be fine with the flock.