Safe to put these 2 groups together??

[ChickieGirl1979]

I have a flock of 18 week old chickens and a separate flock of 9 week old chickens. Is it ok to try to integrate these 2 groups yet??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would get working on it.

 

[ChickieGirl1979]

I would get working on it.

So you think it would be fine?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You will want to supervise for the first few times to see how it goes, there could be trouble or it could go easy. The more room and places to hide and escape will make things easier. Be ready to separate if things get rough, than try again the next day until everyone mostly ignores each other and there isn't excessive pecking. Having things the young chicks can slip under or through that the bigger ones can't, can give the younger ones a place to be safe.

 

[aart]

What is your housing like?
Coop/runs sizes(feet by feet)?
Do you free range?
Lots of ways to integrate.
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[ChickieGirl1979]

There is 1 coop. The run is 100 sq ft. We do not do free range as we are a suburban coop. There will be 12 chickens, some bantams.

 

[Mrs. K]

What are your numbers, and who's coop are you moving which group too?

I always try and think of integration as a plus and minus game. Home front - plus, moving into a new set up minus, larger numbers in the flock +, smaller flock -, older birds +, younger birds -,
bigger birds +, smaller birds -.

Have hide outs, a one way gate for smaller birds, multiple water and feed spots.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

There is 1 coop. The run is 100 sq ft. We do not do free range as we are a suburban coop. There will be 12 chickens, some bantams.

Feet by feet?...and pics?