transitioning chicks to the outside

[Lynnk]

Hi, I'm a newbie when it comes to the babies, and although I have good common sense, I wanted to get some ideas/opinions. I picked up 2 adorable Blue Americauna chicks at a poultry swap a week and a half ago. I've had them in the brooder inside my house but they are quite well feathered with still some fluff around the neck and down the centre of their backs. The lady I got them from said they were a "couple of weeks" but in my excitement, I didn't get their exact hatch date...I am not sure when or how to get them outside. I had them out in an x-pen and the hens all came and had a look, they enjoy their play time outside and aren't spending much time under the heat lamp now.

Any suggestions as to how to do this? I'm worried that even though they are bigger and strong looking (smaller one is 11 oz) that they may be hurt by the other hens or roos.
thanks
L

 

[BigSkyChickens]

I've read that you should integrate them only when they are almost the same size. But that sounds alomst impossible to me! We've built a "chick run" right next to the adult chicken run, and will keep our new ones in there until there are roughly 6-8 months old.

I've also read the integration goes better if you can have them separately penned, but so they can see each other for a while. A kind of "look, but don't peck" period for the older hens. Some folks also free range them together as an introduction.

Good luck!