integrating different age chicks

[eastercreek]

We have 12 babies born between 2/18 and 3/2 that are already out enjoying their coop and run. We moved them out there all together from 2 different brooders and they have done fine. They tend to stay together with the group they lived with in the brooder. The first week they were moved outside...we had them locked in the coop with a heatlamp at night if it was 50 degrees or below. The heat lamp is now put away. They get let out in am but still have free access to coop all day...and get locked in the coop in the pm. We still have a third "batch" of chicks that were born 3/21.. a month younger than the oldest ones ...and they are still in the brooder.
My question is this...since we cant lock them in the coop for a week like we did the older ones , could we just put the 4 chicks that are still in the brooder(which is a large dog kennel/cage) inside the coop on the floor for a couple of days so everyone can meet them from the safety of being "behind bars" and then open the door one day and just let them out with the rest of them?
We wouldn"t do this until they were about 4 weeks till they get some more feathers. Our weather is mild now....mid 80s during late afternoon and between mid 50s-60s at night. I doubt we will see any more 50 degree nights after this week. I am not so worried about temps as I am about them getting bullied.

 

[Batty about Banties]

I also use a dog crate as a brooder which works well for this I think. I went ahead and just moved everything into the coop with the big girls. That way the chickies still had the safety of the "brooder" but could get the feel of the coop. I did that until I thought they were comfortable and then just opened the door. Left the "brooder" in the coop so they could go back in if they wanted for a couple days but then took it out. Worked good for me. Good Luck!

 

[macdoogle2]

I have mixed different aged birds without problems. Mostly the older hens ignore the younger. I usually have a fair ratio of younger to older and supervise them carefully. Recently, when freeranging, my older hens came up to the incloser where my 6 week olds were kept. The older girls wanted in so I let them. They hung out together for several hours and then the older ones went back to their pen/ Not once did the older girls pick on the younger.