introducing my chicks with my pullets? suggestions

[frizzlefritz]

hi

i recently bought 2 six week old chicks and 2 4 month old pullets. the pullets are living in the coop right now and the chicks are living in a horse stall in the barn. I would really like to get them in to the same pen as soon as possible. any suggestions would be great

Rachel

 

[PunkinPeep]

I would put the younger ones in the coop in a cage for a little while. If you free range, i would let them free range together after a couple of days of being able to see each other but not access each other.

In the coop, after a few days, if you feel comfortable (this process requires some observation to determine good timing), you can make so the younger chicks can go in their enclosure or come out of it, but the larger birds can't get in. This gives the little one a place to hide while they're learning how to get along with the big girls.

Soon, the little ones will join the big girls on their own.

That's what i do anyway.

 

[frizzlefritz]

ok thanks for your reply....the little ones are still little enough to live a cat carrier so do you think i should put them in that in the big girls coop?

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
You could do that, but when you start letting them go back and forth, the important thing is that the little ones can get in, but the bigs ones can't follow them. So you might have to fashion a temporary door with a smaller opening for that stage.

 

[frizzlefritz]

ok i think i will do that

thank you for your advice

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
You're welcome! I hope it goes well for you!