Separating temporarily?

[trinity2883]

So I had to rehome two cockerels who were supposed to be pullets and weren't, leaving one pullet alone outside until my chicks are old enough to go outside.

Here's my dilemma...I was going to move them all out at the same time (run next to the big run, with a dog crate for shelter for a week etc etc) but I want to get my lone girl company sooner without buying another pullet.

I have 2 4-week olds, one who is almost completely feathered, and one who is close. The other 5 are a week behind them. The weather is 40s-50s rn with lots of rain (cause Oregon) but still 30s at night.

Should I try moving the 2 older ones before the others? How long can they be separated from the younger chicks before they forget each other?

 

[Cassandra Lana]

i keep the older ones in till they both have all their feathers in , then move them outside . When they are outside you can bring them in one a day or every other day to see the other birds. It will take them longer than that to forget ( 2 weeks) but interaction is good cause of the pecking order .

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would move all the babies at once, so another week or so, assuming they're all weaned/almost weaned off heat now (and if not, use the upcoming week to get the younger ones off heat).