Some chicks fully feathered, others are not-should I split them up?

[ChickEliEli]

I will start with a brief overview in the hope that it helps with the questions I have.

We have 7 chickens ranging from 3 years old to 7 years old in a chicken run and coop. They aren't free ranged due to predators so they spend there time in a nice large run.

We have 9 chicks that are at least 5 weeks old. There is a large size discrepancy between the chicks. Some are fully feathered and a good size while others are small with downy fluff still around their necks. The chicks are in a small brooder and have been off a heat lamp for 2 weeks (garage temps above 60 most evenings).

We had hoped to move the chicks to a fenced dog run as a temporary stopping point to allow them to grow bigger. They have spent several days in this space. However, we have cold weather moving in again (close to freezing temps at night and 50-ish during the day). The chicks are too big for their brooder but I don't have a larger one.

I was wondering if I should move the 2 larger, fully feathered chicks to the dog run to give the smaller ones more space in the brooder? Then I can move the smaller chicks out during the day when the weather warms back up. The chicks will most likely be separated for a few days if I do this. Will this cause the bigger chicks to fight with the smaller ones? Right now they all get along fine, but the brooder space is just feels too small.

At some point we will integrate the older flock with the new flock. Just looking for some suggestions on how to move forward.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I wouldn't split them up.

 

[Willowspirit]

I wouldn't split them up either. It's too touchy to reintegrate.

 

[chickens really]

Put them all out in the look no touch pen. They will be fine.