What age to introduce baby chickens to the main flock?

[SandBsmom]

Hi there all you wonderful experienced chicken people. I have a question about when to introduce my younger chicks to our older flock. I have a flock of 7 four month old chickens. Our rooster is a BIG RIR. He watches out for the girls pretty well but he also does his main rooster job quite dilligently. And he seems to have a thing for small hens as our tiny japanese bantam is his favorite. We also have 5 eight week old babies living in a dog run in the garage. They get to go out into the coop run everyday when the big guys are out free ranging but we haven't let any of the big guys in with them yet. They are starting to look a little big for their indoor brooder but they look so small next to the big guys! I am wondering when it would be safe to introduce everyone. I have read a few posts about how to do it but I can't find anything about when. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[7L Farm]

There's no right or wrong time to intro them. Just let them out when their free ranging & keep an eye on them. I have three coops & the third coop has three month old in it. I've had them locked in their coop since day one & the other two coops of chickens free range. Just the other day I said today I'm letting them out. I opened the door & they eventually came out didn't venture far & my one roo didn't bother them. Then at dusk they all went back into their coops. Next day I let them all out again & no problem. I usually wait till their all about the same size. But if I was you I'd let them out & sit with them. Do it a couple hours before it gets dark. Good Luck!! They will probably be fine.

 

[MrsEison]

Sandbsmom > I have almost the same 2 age groups and was wondering the same thing! Mine having been living side by side for almost a month in a divided run. just can't decide when to take out the divider and let them mingle and use the same coop.............

 

[Adenium]

Hmm...so your big RIR mates the Japanese bantam and she's fine?

We're struggling with this issue as we have a Partridge Rock accidental roo and also 4 silkies. Reviews are mixed as to whether he will hurt the silkies eventually or not.

 

[SandBsmom]

Not sure SHE likes it. But he stalks her like a pedifile! She comes to his knee! I don't know how she's ok with it but she seems ok. He's not interested in our silkie at all, but she's kind of dumb so maybe that's not attractive in the chicken world.