old enough to integrate????

[dreamdoc]

My 8 week old chicks have been living out in the coop with their own run for a week. They are visible to adults but separated from adults. When can I begin integrating them into the adult flock?

 

[SueT]

Describe your adults.....how many chicks, how many adults, what breeds?

 

[dreamdoc]

Adults: two wyndottes, one sexlinked, one ameracauna and one banty rooster
Chicks: two ameracaunas and two welsummers. Have alot of room in run and coop

 

[SueT]

Mine are 8 weeks, and have been visible to the bigs for 3 weeks. I've got a couple of mean older hens, so I don't feel ready to let them all be together. The elders outnumber the youngsters, 7 to 5. I have put my 2 bantam hens in with the youngsters, who are standard size and that went okay. I'm going to wait a couple more weeks for the whole gang. Let us know how it goes w yours....

 

[JMotuzick]

My main flock (13, 12 hens and a roo) is to much for my 4 6 week olds wynedottes I’m going to put them in with my limping leg horn, and a new to me polish this weekend. I have little time to babysit right now, so I’ll isolate for a week in the coop I think. Then just hope for the best!

 

[blackdog043]

I would try it now. If you can make a panic door for them to get back into their area, it will help make the integration easier. Also keep their food and water in there for them.

I raised mine in my coop brooder using the MHP. I started integrating nine new chicks last weekend when they were 4 & 4 1/2 weeks old. I have ten 1 year old chickens, 5 RIR, 2 Barred Rock, 1 Buff Orpington & 2 EE's. I have a panic door for the brooder so the chicks can get away if needed. The big girls can't get through the opening. The chicks have food and water in the brooder also. It's been going really good, only a peck here and there, but nothing aggressive. This is the first time I brooded in the coop, and integrated so early, this is how I will be doing it from now on, it's worked out so good.