Introducing chicks.

[chicken4fun]

I have 12 hens and 8 baby chicks. The chicks are 2 months old we have been introducing the chicks for an hour every day for a week, today we put them in the run all day, they seem to be fine but keep to their selves. my question is do I go ahead and put them together all night or should I wait another week?

 

[boskelli1571]

Hi there,
Personally, I would wait until the chicks are 10 -12 week or better. Some people wait longer, it depends. You can try it and watch from a distance to see how it goes, if the older girls get mean, separate them for a few more weeks, Sue

 

[chicken4fun]

Thanks Sue we just went and separated them again for the night, I worry to much about not having enough room for them at night. I think I will wait longer. There is not much size difference in them.

 

[boskelli1571]

All the books will tell you so many feet roost/per bird, however, I've always found they cram themselves together as tight as can be! If you have an area in the hen house that the little ones can congregate in, they might be ok. I added a couple of 12 weekers' a few weeks back and they are now roosting with the older girls at night, but get hassled during the day, so they sit in the house all day! Mind you, with our night temps in the minus area right now, I think I'd stay inside too!