Introducing chicks to older chicks

[Ridgerunner]

My definition of a successful integration is that none get hurt. If none get hurt you are doing great. With differences in ages and especially maturity it is pretty common for the different groups to form sub-flocks and avoid each other. Sometime they will mingle together but the younger avoiding the more mature is really common. A lot of that depends on the individual personality of the chickens involved, especially the older ones. The personality of one individual can affect the entire flock dynamics. That's why no one can give you guarantees about any living animals and their behaviors. Each bird is unique, each flock is unique.

I can't tell how much room you actually have but it looks fairly spacious for them now. They will grow fast and it will get smaller. It sounds like none are really getting injured. In my opinion the younger you can get them together the better.

What are your low temperatures at night. That's what counts toward whether they can stay out there or not. Those daytime temperatures are a totally different issue. If those chicks are at least two weeks old I would not have any problems leaving them out there overnight if the lows got down to the mid 70's, including the Silkies. As long as they don't get wet, like rained on, and they are not in a breeze they can manage.

 

[Aprilap55]

My definition of a successful integration is that none get hurt. If none get hurt you are doing great. With differences in ages and especially maturity it is pretty common for the different groups to form sub-flocks and avoid each other. Sometime they will mingle together but the younger avoiding the more mature is really common. A lot of that depends on the individual personality of the chickens involved, especially the older ones. The personality of one individual can affect the entire flock dynamics. That's why no one can give you guarantees about any living animals and their behaviors. Each bird is unique, each flock is unique.

I can't tell how much room you actually have but it looks fairly spacious for them now. They will grow fast and it will get smaller. It sounds like none are really getting injured. In my opinion the younger you can get them together the better.

What are your low temperatures at night. That's what counts toward whether they can stay out there or not. Those daytime temperatures are a totally different issue. If those chicks are at least two weeks old I would not have any problems leaving them out there overnight if the lows got down to the mid 70's, including the Silkies. As long as they don't get wet, like rained on, and they are not in a breeze they can manage.

The highs during the day are mid nineties, lows at night mid to upper 70s but I swear it feels like mid 80s to me. The run area is roughly 145 sf. The coop is smaller but fits them all comfortably for now until we can expand hopefully this weekend. It is also water tight with ventilation and inside the run so also quite predator proof *knock on wood* ill attach a pic of the coop (with older chicks roosting) as of now just for more info.

 

[Aprilap55]

The highs during the day are mid nineties, lows at night mid to upper 70s but I swear it feels like mid 80s to me. The run area is roughly 145 sf. The coop is smaller but fits them all comfortably for now until we can expand hopefully this weekend. It is also water tight with ventilation and inside the run so also quite predator proof *knock on wood* ill attach a pic of the coop (with older chicks roosting) as of now just for more info.

I cleaned out the old chips and added extra just incase some chicks decided to sleep on the ground instead since that's what they've been doing in the brooders even with roosts provided. All chicks total are at least 5 weeks old at the youngest.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've had 5-1/2 week old chicks spend the night with no supplemental heat when the low was in the mid-20's Fahrenheit. Yes, below freezing. If yours are at least five weeks old there is no reason to bring them back inside as far as temperatures go.

My brooder raised chicks typically don't start to roost until they are 10 to 12 weeks old. That's when there are no older ones on the roosts. I have had some start at 5 weeks and some take a lot longer to start but 10 to 12 weeks is a pretty good average. Until then they sleep in a group on the coop floor. I think the way my coop is set up has something to do with that timing.

I had a broody hen take her chicks to the roosts at 2 weeks so they physically can roost that young, but mine don't want to.

 

[Aprilap55]

I've had 5-1/2 week old chicks spend the night with no supplemental heat when the low was in the mid-20's Fahrenheit. Yes, below freezing. If yours are at least five weeks old there is no reason to bring them back inside as far as temperatures go.

My brooder raised chicks typically don't start to roost until they are 10 to 12 weeks old. That's when there are no older ones on the roosts. I have had some start at 5 weeks and some take a lot longer to start but 10 to 12 weeks is a pretty good average. Until then they sleep in a group on the coop floor. I think the way my coop is set up has something to do with that timing.

I had a broody hen take her chicks to the roosts at 2 weeks so they physically can roost that young, but mine don't want to.

Oh awesome! I've added more feed & waterers all around the run , set up some hiding spots and put the silkies back out they seem much happier being back with their flock. I hope I didn't do more harm by separating them from the others overnight but I will be keeping an eagle eye on them throughout the day. Thanks so much!