I can't remember all of this baby chick stuff!!!!

[KnowyourFarmer]

So, we raised chicks several years ago and had a nice little flock of three. Sadly, since then, we've lost two of them. My last girl is happy and healthy but we wanted more hens (and eggs) so we recently got six pullets (allegedly) and they are doing quite well in our brooder. I am however not really remembering things like, when can I start taking them outside? When do we switch their food from starter to layer? I'm also concerned about the assimilation of the new chicks to the full grown hen, will she bully them? Will they bully her? What age do I begin the introductions? My girl is healthy but is there anything that an adult hen can be exposed to that might harm chicks, in other words, should I do any special coop cleaning before allowing them in there? They are almost 4 weeks and I'm thinking that I still have a few weeks before I need to do anything different but I'm gathering my information now, so that I'll know what I'm going to do. Thanks for any and all information!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

So, we raised chicks several years ago and had a nice little flock of three.  Sadly, since then, we've lost two of them.  My last girl is happy and healthy but we wanted more hens (and eggs) so we recently got six pullets (allegedly) and they are doing quite well in our brooder.  I am however not really remembering things like, when can I start taking them outside?  When do we switch their food from starter to layer?  I'm also concerned about the assimilation of the new chicks to the full grown hen, will she bully them?  Will they bully her?  What age do I begin the introductions?  My girl is healthy but is there anything that an adult hen can be exposed to that might harm chicks, in other words, should I do any special coop cleaning before allowing them in there?  They are almost 4 weeks and I'm thinking that I still have a few weeks before I need to do anything different but I'm gathering my information now, so that I'll know what I'm going to do.  Thanks for any and all information! 

 

[Mountain Peeps]

So, we raised chicks several years ago and had a nice little flock of three.  Sadly, since then, we've lost two of them.  My last girl is happy and healthy but we wanted more hens (and eggs) so we recently got six pullets (allegedly) and they are doing quite well in our brooder.  I am however not really remembering things like, when can I start taking them outside?  When do we switch their food from starter to layer?  I'm also concerned about the assimilation of the new chicks to the full grown hen, will she bully them?  Will they bully her?  What age do I begin the introductions?  My girl is healthy but is there anything that an adult hen can be exposed to that might harm chicks, in other words, should I do any special coop cleaning before allowing them in there?  They are almost 4 weeks and I'm thinking that I still have a few weeks before I need to do anything different but I'm gathering my information now, so that I'll know what I'm going to do.  Thanks for any and all information! 

Haha woops!! I didn't write anything above^ Anyway, don't worry, I forgot a lot too only second round!!

Chicks can go outside whenever just as long as its 65 and above. They should be switched to the layer ration at 18 weeks. The single hen probably won't bully as much because she will be eager to have some friends! I would introduce around 9-12 weeks. The new birds might bully the old hen but or probably not bad.