Introduction

[RuthhoneyEstherFrannymom]

Hi all, I have two 8 week old RIR and 4 week old BO, when can I allow them to mingle without the barrier crate? Picture is a reference of size difference.

 

[Debbie292d]

I can't speak to those breeds, but our silkies are mingled at that age often. Just a couple of days ago we put eight 6-week olds with four 12-week olds and they get along great and free-range together most of the time too.

All I can say is what we do, try it, watch them interact and pull the smaller ones out if it's not going to work. If one particular older chicken is the only problem, then that's the one that gets pulled.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd try it now. Younger birds are more forgiving of newcomers than older birds, but that changes rapidly as they age, and 8 weeks old is really on the cusp of being maybe, maybe not.