Integrating 2 and 3 week olds!

[Erin80]

I have 17 chicks in one brooder and 20 in another. Mix of standard and bantams.
My husband has put the brooder boxes end to end and each end is a “window” of chicken wire so these chicks can see each other but not touch. The windows can then slide up and out of the way so the two brooders can become one big brooder.
Do 2 and 3 week old chicks have a pecking order? What should I expect trying to integrate these ages? I need them integrated before they go out into the coop because they will be together out there.

 

[azygous]

At this age, they aren't yet concerned with social standing. However, there are no guarantees as to whether size differences and breed temperaments might cause friction eventually. You're going about it the right way, though. If you're going to ultimately have a cohesive flock, you're wise to be integrating them now.

 

[aart]

I'd do it now...open that window!

How big is this brooder....got pics?
That's a lot of birds!

 

[Erin80]

I'd do it now...open that window!

How big is this brooder....got pics?
That's a lot of birds!

I haven’t taken any but I can!
It is a lot, which is why I need to get them into the coop before long. They will still have heat out there, tons of roosting space, their own private run. I don’t really want them in the brooders past 4 weeks.

 

[aart]

I haven’t taken any but I can!

Please do...and your coop setup for them too.

It is a lot, which is why I need to get them into the coop before long. They will still have heat out there, tons of roosting space, their own private run. I don’t really want them in the brooders past 4 weeks.

I move mine out to the coop at about 1 week old.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[rayrose]

I'd wait until they're at least four weeks old and then put
them all in the coop at the same time. It will be virgin
territory for all of them and they'll bond together quicker
with no territorial disputes.