Integrating young ones with older chickens

[lanamtu]

Hi, I'm brand new to this site. I know this has been discussed before but I didn't have the time to go through all the threads.

I have 4 - 15 week old Rhode Island Reds which I've separated from my two older hens. The older ones will peck at the new ones through a small fence which I use to separate them. Is this the right time to integrate them? When a younger one gets out all she wants to do is get back in.

Thanks

 

[sumi]

Keep the young ones separate for another 2-3 weeks before integrating them, to give them more time to get used to each other. When the time comes there will be some pecking still as they reestablish their pecking order, but don't intervene unless blood is drawn or the pecking gets out of hand.

 

[lanamtu]

Sumi, thank you for your quick response. I will follow your advice.