what age is it ok to integrate????

[smcdermott]

I have 4 - 2 week olds
And
4 - 6 to 8 week olds
They are currently in 2 different cages. I would love to put them together. BUT my one 5 week RIR (profile pic) is VERY aggressive with the little ones. Chasing and pecking them. Hasn't hurt them or blood but it's a mean little thing.
What do y'all think????

 

[red horse ranch]

I don't like to put them together when there is more than 3 weeks difference in age. Since the RIR is already causing trouble I would advise against putting them together. It will just cause the littlest ones a lot of stress and may affect their development. I would wait to put them together when they go out into their outdoor coop.

 

[donrae]

I'd start adding the bigs to the littles. one at a time and starting with the youngest. One bird taken from it's group and added to another group usually wont' cause any issues, even if the new group is smaller. Save the most aggressive bird for last.