Need help

[jpfromnc]

Thank you in advance for any replies but I have a small flock of YOUNG chickens there are 17 that are only about a month and a half I have a huge run for them and a 10x10x10 coop yeah I know crazy but I built it so I could go in and out and anyway my worry Is can I add older chickens to the chicks as it'll be a while before I get any eggs and I have found locally several people selling 6-7 month old pullets which I really want to add but I don't want them to hurt my chicks any advice ?

 

[jpfromnc]

And before you judge it has been colder than normal lately so we have given them their own heater

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

No one will judge you. But if your chicks are fully feathered, they don't need a heater, anyway.

I would not add seven month old pullets to 6 week old chicks. The pullets may kill the chicks. It's always best to integrate flocks when the birds are physically the same size. The two ages also need different feed--the chicks need chick starter, and should not eat layer feed because it has too much calcium in it and it can harm their reproductive systems.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

No one will judge you. But if your chicks are fully feathered, they don't need a heater, anyway.

I would not add seven month old pullets to 6 week old chicks. The pullets may kill the chicks. It's always best to integrate flocks when the birds are physically the same size. The two ages also need different feed--the chicks need chick starter, and should not eat layer feed because it has too much calcium in it and it can harm their reproductive systems.

If you bring in outside birds they need a quarantine period to be sure they don't share any disease with your current flock as well. You would need to have a location where they would not come into contact with eachother for about 30 days and then you could put them where they could see and visit with eachother but not touch eachother. Flock integration takes time and patience. If you have the space and time you could try but certainly don't dump them in together.