My Brooder Setup / How Im getting My New Chicks Introduced to My Teenagers

[PairOFWings]

I set up my first batch of chicks in the carport in a large dog crate that I predator proofed a few weeks ago (they are almost 7 weeks old now) and when I determined that I have at least one roo in the bunch I thought I should get a few more chicks to round out my flock after Ive culled any roos.

So now that my chicks are a week and a half old, and the coop is done, I thought I should get the two groups acquainted so I could get them all into the coop at once in a few weeks.

Here is my set up!

Since the teenagers dont need the heat lamp anymore, but still like it. I have positioned it so that both crates get some heat, but the two groups have to cozy up next to eachother. Seems to be working, I snuck up on them last night to get a peek and everyone was quiet and warm next to eachother. This made me very happy.

 

[Stiggy]

the size gap will be a bit problematic, but if they have enough space you should be ok. I wouldn't introduce them until the youngest don't need the light any more as they will huddle up to the older ones and may get crushed while trying to get warm. having said that if its warm enough you could supervise them outside for a while, but keeping them separate at this point would be a good idea. your idea of having them side by side is a nice one tho, then they can see, smell and touch the others without injuring them

 

[PairOFWings]

I let the teenagers roam free for the first time this weekend and they absolutely loved it.. It's going to be hard to keep them in the crate for another 6 weeks, but that's what I would like to do in order to give the babies a chance to get fully feathered.

While the teenagers were roaming, I let the babies run around in a big pen and one managed to escape. Right away my big white easter egger (who I think is a roo) came running over and puffed out all his neck feathers.. He looked like a creature from jurassic park! This so startled me and I did not allow them more interaction out in the open.

Any insight on what that action meant? The EE didn't do anything else, just stared at the little one all puffed out until I stepped in.

 

[Stiggy]

I bet they did, having them outside for a few hours a week is always a good thing, especially if the weather is nice. it could be aggression, in the sense of this is my space... or it could be an inquisitive nature, with the feathers up as a possible defense incase the little one attacked

 

[PairOFWings]

Thank you for your input!