Putting the girls in with the women

[4Gr8kids]

Our 6 chicks (2 giant blacks, 2 dark brahmas, 2 light brahmas) are now 12 weeks old, in good health, and almost as big as our 4 women (3 naked necks and 1 americauna.) The chicks are in a little condo coop right next to the big coop--so they've been seeing each other up close for 5 weeks, though they mostly ignore each other. Are the chicks old enough to go into the big coop? Any precautions to take?

 

[jacyjones]

I am in the same situation although my young ones are 11 weeks. Yesterday I opened the door for the young ones to come out and meet the older girls. I have 2 pullets and 2 roos that I hatched and 11 older girls. I also have 3 ducks and the only fuss was made by the oldest duck - she got quite cross and was herding the new ones about! Not what I expected at all.

 

[newchicksnducks]

4GRTKIDS - My chicks were similar in ages when I integrated. I had 3 EE around 10 weeks and 7 that were about 5 week old. They had lived side by side in the coop (youngers in poultry net "cage") I put them all outside in our large pen (about 20x30) during the day. The EE checked the babies out, would rush them a couple of times, but no real attack. I think the fact that there were 7 babies and only 3 older girls helped. If an older EE went to rush one of the younger birds, the babies would all rush to the picked on baby's side. By night time, they all went inside (little ones with help of a bit of crumbles on the ramp). Within 2 nights, they were roosting on the same roost...EE snuggled on 1 1/2 foot section, 5 feet empty roost, then 7 snuggled on 2 foot section! The younger group has actually helped my people shy EE become more social. Last week an EE even took spinach out of my hand.