Introducing Chicks to the General Population

[Girl43]

Hi all. I have 12 chicks that are almost 3 months old. They are currently outside and free-ranging on their own away from my four full grown chickens. I'd like to join them up. Is it too early? I'm thinking that I will put them in the coop for a couple of days in sight of but separated from the adults so they will learn where they live and then allow them together. Outside of the coop they will be able to free range and hide and get away if that is necessary but at night they will be together. Is this wise at 3 months of age? I really would appreciate your thoughts on this venture and thanks for reading.

 

[sumi]

Ideally chicks should be introduced to the rest of the flock when they are more or less fully grown (around 4 months). If you can do what you're thinking off, putting the chicks next to the older ones, but do it for say 4 weeks, before introducing them properly, it should work out well and the integration should go fairly smoothly. There will be some pecking and bullying as they reestablish their pecking order, but don't intervene unless it gets out of hand and/or if blood is drawn.