What age can you put chicks in with the older birds?

[farmerbly]

Have some 3 week old birds almost fully feathered now. They are still inside with a light on them. What age can I put them outside in a seperate small run. What age do they have to be to put them in with my older birds? Thanks for the help. Im new to young birds.
BP

 

[fiberart57]

At three weeks they're not ready to go outside. It may be warm enough during the day, but gets too cold at night. I've had the understanding that six weeks is when they're able to thermoregulate.
Also, it's best to wait until they're closer in size to the big girls otherwise the older chickens will be too tough on them. Big chickens don't see little chickens as cute and cuddly.
Mary

 

[Brandi Leigh]

I add mine when they are a couple months old and a little closer in size.

 

[farmerbly]

hey thanks for the info. I figured about 8 weeks until I can put them in the Big Girl pen. I'll just keep putting them out during the afternoon in their small pen. Thanks for the reply.

 

[earlybird10842]

I am integrating my chicks and hens by walling off a corner of the coop with chicken wire, and placing a heat lamp over it, then putting in the chicks That way the hens and chicks can see each other, but not pick on each other, and will be used t each other by the time the chicks can move in.

 

[duskins]

I truly agree waiting till they are 8weeks old before they should be left outside in a secured pen at night. While everyone's climate is different, the nights need to be 70degrees and the chicks need to be off the a heat lamp and adjusted to normal current daily and nightly temps.

In regards to introduction of Hens and Chicks, I would agree with others on ensuring comparable bird size. I also place their run next to the current run for up to two weeks so they can see each other. The second week I allow them to free range under supervision together. When I bring them in from free ranging sometimes the new ones follow in the old girls pens.

Another good idea I have learned and used is ensuring they have access to feed. Water traditionally is not "protected", but the feed trough can be. I use auto feeders and ensure my pen in which I am introducing new hens to has a second feeder.

I have had issues with introducing older hens to my flock. My buddy wanted to get rid of 4 hens which were 1 year old, they fought more than when I introduce 12-14week old hens to my flock.

Just remember to have enough feed, water, roosting space, and laying space. These are critical in any operation but also when adding to your current flock.

This is only my 2cents worth

 

[krys2000]

WE just put our new gals out with the big gals. We walled off a corner of the run with some old lattice we had laying around and we put their interim brooder out in there for their temporary coop. Their interim brooder is an old dresser that's been modified into a single enclosed space with an opening for the heat lamp. My new girls are 8 weeks old and haven't been without the heat lamp yet. With night time temps averaging about 45 degrees, is that warm enough to take the heat lamp away?