Mixing chicks with hens?

[bethann]

hi there, my first set of hens are now 4mos old and my chicks are 1mo old. The chicks have been in a small pen inside the coop since 2days old. When is it safe to leave them alone with the hens? They have pecked at them a few times, but will they hurt the chicks?

please help, the chicks are ready to run free...

 

[Mahonri]

First off...

We are so glad you are here.

I usually don't mix younger pullets with older ones until the younger ones are close to 16 weeks of age.

That's why I had to build two new pens!

 

[Bear88]

so should they be able to see each other ??? when you are waiting for the newq chicks to get older?

 

[Mahonri]

It would be nice to do that if you can. That way they are used to each other.

At present, I'm letting my younger ones out to free range and they spend time around the older ones outside of the hens run.

In three weeks I'll introduce the first four younger ones to the coop as they will be 16 weeks by then.