New chickens w/ young chickens

[juaru5]

Hello all,

I have about 20 5 week old chicks and I am rescuing approx 9 full grown hens/roosters. The grown chickens will go in the coop, but the chicks are outgrowing their brooder (small shed). Can I safely mix them together?

John A

 

[juaru5]

I should add that the coop is large - approx 1000 sq feet of outdoor space and 250 sq ft of indoor space.

John A

 

[michael1003]

I would add them all at the same time to the coop. So that its nutral teratory. Watch them to make sure the large hens are not going to bully the smaller ones. I would throw scrach down so the large hens are intertained and distracted. I just added 4 5 week old chicks to my 8 week old chickens. Made sure to put down scrach and give them things to keep them intertained and had no pecking propblems.

 

[juaru5]

Would it be better to put them together in the dark so that they "wake up" together?

 

[michael1003]

I wouldn't i like to watch my self i sit out and watch for an hour leave come back check for an hour then two then 4 you get teh idea