Introducing new birds to the flock.

[frogsong]

I have a question please.

I have some chickens and I recently hatched some new babies. The babies are 6 weeks old and fully feathered now. I moved them from the brooder to a cage inside the chicken coop with the other chickens so the chickens can get used to seeing them.

I'm worried that if I let them out with the rest of the flock the older chickens will pick on them and hurt them. Am I being silly, or is it safe to go ahead and let them out?

 

[Mahonri]

You are not being silly. You don 't want to hear this but they won't be ready to join the big girls until they are about 15-16 weeks of age.

How many big girls are there and how many chicks... and how big is the coop?

 

[frogsong]

Quote:
Thank you for the reply. You're right, I didn't want to hear that as I really don't have anywhere else to put them.

But I'll do what I have to do to keep them safe, so I guess I'll have to figure something out.

The coop itself is about 8x8 foot, but their yard is about 60x50 feet.

I have 11 hens and 3 roosters, one of which I am trying to find a new home for.

 

[cmom]

I agree with Mahonri. I had two coops. I had a run for each coop that went into a fenced in chicken yard 75' x 75'.

 

[dw_618]

they will get MAJORLY picked on it you combine both flocks....DEFINITELY let them grow up enough to defend themselves