I've read so much here about waiting until babies are the size of other chickens before integrating them in the coop. I don't want to wait. I need the brooder for another project. My chicks hatched today the old fashioned way ~ by their momma setting on them. I know I have at least 6, maybe as many as 11 chicks. I have 16 other hens that are 1+ years old and 1 roo that's 1 year old (Today). My coop is plenty big enough for them all. I figured I'd keep them segregated for a few days and then see how they all do together, of course having separate food and water for the babies. If you have integrated your chicks early, please let me know. I want to know your success and failures so I can make the best decision.
I have 7 pullets and 1 roo that are 11 months old an d 14 20 weeks old pullets. When the chicks were 10 weeks old I tried to integate the two groups together and it wasa complete disaster. The older girls ganged up on the younger ones and kept them out of their side of the coop away from their food and water. They chased them around the entire pen and coop. The rooster ignored them until the afternoon when he decided to chase them around the coop. Once he caught them he would just step on them and pin them down. I say wait until they are older, because especially when you consider the rooster will not care if they are too little to mess with. You wouldn't want anyone of the chickens to get hurt.
