Is there a fast way to integrate?

[MontanaDolphin]

I have two flocks of BR chicks...the 9 week olds are out in the coop, the 5 week olds are in the brooder in the house.

I was taking the younger chicks outside and putting them in a movable pen that I placed right up against the older chicks' run. That way the older chicks could see the younger chicks without being able to peck them. I did that for three days. Then it rained for 3 days, so I couldn't put them outside. Now I feel like I gotta start all over...and am hoping there is a faster way to integrate them without anyone getting hurt.

The younger chicks need to go out to the coop. They are making my entire house stink, and hubby has been sick for a week. I clean their brooder daily, but it still smells (I use sand as the bedding). I had to move the brooder into the spare bedroom and keep the door closed, hoping the smell would stay in there...it does, except when the fan turns on and the air circulates throughout the house.

Besides the smell, they are too big for the brooder...and due to cramped space, are acting like teenagers. Knocking over their food dish, their water dish, trying to fly out of the brooder but only hitting the screen top (they know it's covered, but fly into it anyway...I think they are trying to knock it off lol)...so they need to go out permanently.

Is there any way I can move them out to the coop soon? I know it's best to let the older chicks get used to them, but I'm out of time. If I don't get them outside, hubby will put them out himself. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Chick Charm]

Put the 5 week olds out at dusk/sundown. There will be some squabbles but they will sort it out. Make sure all chicks have a way to get out ASAP in the morning. Likely there will be some feathers pecked and the 5 week olds will huddle in a secure area much like when a mamma hen reject the chicks naturally. They will sort it out. Hopefully you have a large run. I would not let the 5 week olds free range at least for a week.

 

[Kernel Cluck]

Do you have a way to separate the hen house into 2 sections with some fencing? This way they can coexist for a few days but not get at the little ones?

 

[mpguay]

Put a cardboard box in the outside coop. cut a door in it that only the little ones can go in. add a heat lamp if needed. Hopefully the little ones can duck for cover if they need to.

 

[Gersbud]

I took my now 10 wk old chick outside and made a temp. pen inside my chicken coop. This way they had to co-exist with the mature chickens i have. The chickens could not get to the chicks and at first stood there and looked at them but after about a week, i took down the temp. pen and they just all co-exist together with no problem. When they are let out in the run they just get in to two different flock, old and young and don't bother each other. Hope this helps

 

[MontanaDolphin]

I thought about putting fencing in the run to separate them, but how do I separate the coop? There's only one chicken door to go in and out, so both flocks would have to use it. I can't leave the little ones outside in their part of the run...

I don't free range the older chicks, so I certainly won't free range the little ones. They are all still too small for me to feel comfortable letting them out of the run...we have hawks here, and I don't want to take the risk of one getting one of my girls or boys. Also, we have hunting dogs around here...I think it's turkey season...and I hear baying all the time...I would feel safer when my cockerels are old enough to defend the flock...right now they'd just run away.