Merging chicks with the flock

[NickyPick]

I go through this every year and I'm still not confident of when. My chicks are now 8 weeks old and in a fenced off section in the coop (since they outgrew their brooder at 4 weeks). My coop is an 8x8 original section with a 12x12 horse stall expansion. During the day, we shut off the 12x12 and let the chicks have the run of the stall, since they're getting WAY too crowded in their little coop section. Did I mention there are 27 of the little buggers? I am really wanting to go ahead and merge them with the hens soon, but I keep wondering if they're still too young/small? I'd have to keep the hens locked in the coop/run after the merge, too, because I'd be worrying about the little ones running around the barn and getting lost or chased over a fence.

Any advice?

 

[azygous]

You can merge them immediately. Simply raise up a portion of their fencing to allow about a five inch clearance or cut 5x7 holes in the fencing. All the chicks need is to be able to get back to the safety of their pen when chased or bullied.

As for wandering off and getting lost, don't worry. They will stick very close to the coop in the beginning, ranging only short distances until they gain confidence. After that, they have imprinted on the coop as their home base, and they will always return to it for safety, food and sleep.