Mixing ages in coop and food requirements

[endo12]

I've read here that after a few days of safe introductions, one can put chicks 6 weeks old out into the coop. We have three year old hens in one coop and will eventually at some age want the pullets to join the others in the same coop. What age is optimal for this switch? Also, the hens are on a layer feed. How does one keep the younger pullets on a grower mix if they are in the same coop with the older laying hens? Is layer feed OK with everyone?

 

[bulldoggin74]

I would love to know the answer to this question also as we will be facing the samw issue soon!

 

[Cats Critters]

Mix groups when their close to the same size, and feed to the youngest groups needs and just have free choice oyster shells so the hens can get calcium.

 

[kathyinmo]

I would not put 6 week old chicks in with adult hens. The earliest I have done it was at 13 weeks, and the older ones pecked the younger ones mercilessly! It took a good month before the younger ones were comfortable enough to even wander around without each other.

 

[Chickaholic]

I have 16 chickens all in the same pen ages ranging from 7 weeks all the way up to 1 year. My 1 year old eats the same stuff as the others (flock grower crumble) but she has access to her own oyster shells and I give them all a lot of veggies daily. My 1 year old still lays an egg a day!! with all the info on the web it can seem overwhelming but, it's really all about what your chickens like and what you are comfortable with and it is a science project for yourself. I can't wait til all of my peeps are laying cause then I will just switch them all over to the layer pellet. Have fun with it, try things out for a day or two and if its not working try something different until you and them are all comfortable=) They adapt really easy though!!