Question about adding chicks

[BigLarry]

Hi everyone, I'm not sure where a good place to post this is so I'm asking here if I need to move it please let me know.

I have 2 3 month old chicks and 3 1 month old chicks. The 1 month old chicks are ready to be moved outside but I'm wondering if it is safe for them to go in the same coop as my 3 month old chicks or if I should separate them for a while before letting them mingle. I'm pretty sure they're all pullets however I'm still not sure about one. If it's ok to add them in how should I go about doing that and if it's not when would it be ok to let them run around together?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Divide up the space and plan on keeping them separately for a while. I would keep them divided for at least a week before trying to let them mingle. Divide them back up if it doesn't work and try again the next day until they tolerate each other. Some are fine after a week some can take longer.

 

[BigLarry]

I will most definitely try this. Thank you for the feedback. I really hope this works, my wife will throw a fit if the chickens start fighting.

 

[afviolettes]

BigLarry,

I'm facing a similar issue - I have 6 chicks and 6 hens that are ~6 months old.

I've done a few supervised field trips, but thought of a better way ... I built a quick "crate" for them outside and every other day or so I'll put them all in the crate, in the run, and leave them out there for a few hours ... This way the chicks see the big birds, and the big birds see the chicks ... but since the chicks are enclosed in their own crate - they can't get out and no one can get in ...

So far my big birds will check them out for about 10-15 minutes right after I put them in ... then they ignore them ... We had one try to houdini and fly out ... bigger birds paid no mind.

Good luck!

- Jason

(Edit)

Here's some pictures for a visual: