Optimum age for integrating chicks with adults

[horsewishr]

My little girls (and boy) are 9 weeks old now. How much longer should I wait before I start letting them mix with the mature hens? They've "seen" each other through chicken wire, and the big girls peck at the little ones through the wire. When should I take down the barrier????? If I keep it up longer, will they get more used to each other, and have less to sort out once they're integrated?

 

[Katy]

I don't like to do it until the younger ones are basically the same size as the adults.

 

[hinkjc]

I usually integrate them around 16-20 weeks. Primarily due to proper nutrition, but also so they are close in size to the adults and can stand their own ground (or get away without getting hurt).

Jody