integrate babys with older hens

[smarquis86]

hi i have 11 various breeds they are all 14 1/2 weeks old and a week ago we built a little coop in the run with a run attached with hardware cloth. the babies are 5 weeks old my question is how long do i leave the babies in there until i can join them in the bigger coop with the rest?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

You will want to wait until the little ones are closer in size to your older chicks.



I might start letting them mingle during free range time when the youngest chicks are about 8 to 10 weeks old. Watch how your older chicks react to the young ones being out with them. I would continue to put the youngest on their side of the coop at night for a few weeks still at this point.


Each flock is different, and even each group within the flock. I have found, for me/my flock, that juvie chicks pick on younger chicks more than adult birds pick on chicks.

 

[smarquis86]

thank you thats very helpfull i will try then