Need advice introducing young chicks to the flock

[JohnZ1985]

Hello, we have a small flock of quail and are currently incubating more eggs. We want to put a separate isolation enclosure into the large enclosure our flock is in but are worried that our Roos will spend too much time going after the male chicks in the isolation box and not pay enough attention to the hens. We do not plan on introducing the Roos unless ratio allows it, they will harvested but want to grow them to size in the box with their hatch mates. Our enclosure is quite large so space isn’t an issue. Can we do this?

 

[catesquire]

I don't see anything wrong with letting them see each other as long as the older birds can't reach the younger ones until they're old enough to fully introduce. If the little roos do prove a distraction you can always separate them out to a different enclosure.

 

[Nabiki]

The males will pay attention to the chicks, but I doubt that will cause them to not pay attention to their ladies. The look but no touch isolation enclosure is a good way to get the two groups used to each other. You won't want to integrate them until the younger ones are 6 weeks or older.