Mixed flock

[pammurphy132]

I have a mixed flock as people keep giving me birds that either are alone because of predators or just but and don’t want that many. I have to start saying no. Now i have 7 two year olds including a very large but good rooster. 7 five months olds which i brooded for 2 months in my garage because it was winter, then put them outside in their own area for a month so they could see each other but not get at each other. They are now all free ranging in a large area. 200x100. Then someone gave me a 2 month old because she was free ranging and all her chicks except this one either got lost or taken by a predator. Last but not least is a 2 week old that someone bought but husband didn’t want so i took her in. The forts 14 get along fine & attempting to put the 4 month olds in the larger coop. I know that will take a little time. Seven of them are crammed in a coop supposedly made for 6 but you know how it goes. I used it to get the young birds ready to join the big birds. My question now is how long do i keep the younger 2 separated and under a heat lamp. They were in the house in a brooder for 2 weeks but it’s 90- 98 outside during the day so i brought them outside & it only dips to 70-75 at nite so i put the heat on at nite. The six week old keeps the 2 week old warm under her at times so not sure if i should just let nature take care of things or what temp is good for the 2 week old maybe 3 weeks cause she has her feathers. Not sure how old she was when i got her but she has most of her feathers.

 

[Yardmom]

In those temps a chick that is starting to feather does not need heat. Some pictures of your setup are needed if you would like suggestions on how to integrate.

 

[pammurphy132]

In those temps a chick that is starting to feather does not need heat. Some pictures of your setup are needed if you would like suggestions on

 

[pammurphy132]

I made a video but it won’t attach. My 6 week old is keeping the young bird warm & it’s so cute to watch. The older one spreads out her wings and just engulfs the young one under her wings. Lovely to see nature work. All the older birds check them out but none seem to be upset or try to get at them. The 2 little ones are in a dog crate. They actually got out yesterday and were walking around the yard and again none of the big girls or my rooster bothered them.

 

[pammurphy132]

In those temps a chick that is starting to feather does not need heat. Some pictures of your setup are needed if you would like suggestions on how to integrate.

In those temps a chick that is starting to feather does not need heat. Some pictures of your setup are needed if you would like suggestions on how to integrate.

 

[pammurphy132]

Finally got some pictures. Large coop house 6 hens and a rooster right now. Smaller coop housing 7 four month olds but just started putting them in the larger coop. Then there are the 2 little ones. Just today i noticed all the 4 month olds hanging with the big girls in the woods. I have old picnic tables, benches & a few small downed tree branches that they also perch on. They come out and peck in the grass but have not ruined my grass yet. I have never had this many. The most i have had in the past is 13. Now 16, Hope the house is big enough. The 7 i have now perch on one level so i figured the others will perch on the lower perch but just going to let nature take its place.

 

[Yardmom]

Sounds like things things are naturally coming together. Allowing them to interact in the yard will definitely help for when they all sleep together later. Hopefully they will get along well enough to sleep in the coop together, but it looks like you have more covered space if you need to expand.