When can I put chicks in with the other birds??

[birdlover24]

I have 6 Red JF chicks they are about 4 months old. I researched it before i put them in with the others ones and what i found looked like they were old enough... So I tried to put them in with our other JF and Guinea fowl about 4 weeks ago and they seemed fine but the next morning i went in the coop and there was one dead chick The other ones were all hiding. I researched it before i put them in with the others ones and what i found looked like they were olde enough... So I moved them out again and put them back in there little brooder box.. I just was kinda wondering how long I have to wait until I can put them in with the other birds.. Do I have to wait till there full grown??

 

[biteme2134]

I put mine in with the rest of the flock around 4 or 5 months old. The thing I did was block off one area of the run. I put a board up that had a hole in it just big enough for the chicks but not adults to go in. So the chicks had a safe place. I put food and water in the safe area too. Then after a month or so I took boards down. Worked great for me

 

[birdlover24]

Oh ok i think i will try that. Thanks!

 

[azygous]

What you're dealing with is an adult flock that sees these almost grown chicks as intruders. By any chance did you brood these chicks within sight of the rest of the flock? If not, then that's your first step in integrating the chicks. Did you really mean to say these chicks are four weeks old or are they in fact four months?

You need to keep the two groups separate for a week or so until they've all had time to get acquainted through a fence barrier. By observing their behavior, you will be able to tell when they are accepting of each other, then take down the barrier and let them mingle. If the chicks are in fact four weeks old, then you can create small holes in their barrier, giving them a safe area to retreat to.

Even still, there are liable to be fights and bullying. You need to provide plenty of space and extra perches, even old tables and chairs in the run to give the youngsters places to escape to from being pursued.

Things will eventually settle down, but the younger ones will need to find their places in the flock, and they will need all the help you can give them with places to get to safety.

 

[birdlover24]

I went back and looked at my notes and stuff and i guess they just turned three months so sorry about that i was a month off. No i did not have them in sight. Ok so should i do that soon? Or wait till they are four months??

 

[azygous]

Ideally, you want to do it when the chicks are as young as possible. That way the flock sees they're small and can watch them grow. The younger the better, as long as you have a protective barrier.

After a week of them interacting through the fence, cut small openings in the barrier so the smalls can go in and out but not the bigs. Then they can all begin sorting out the pecking order while the chicks are still small enough to find refuge in the safe pen.

The food and water must be kept separate too. The smalls won't get enough to eat if they have to compete with the adults.

 

[dekel18042]

I went back and looked at my notes and stuff and i guess they just turned three months so sorry about that i was a month off. No i did not have them in sight. Ok so should i do that soon? Or wait till they are four months??

Two days ago I added 4.5 month old pullets to my laying flock and everything went well. Since they were ten weeks old they were in a smaller coop with their run right next to the big run so they could see each other and be close for the last two months. I probably could have done it a little sooner but didn't. I just noticed some of their combs reddening up so I figured it was time so in they went.
I just moved them into the run but it probably works better to put them into the coop at night after they have been able to see each other for a while.
Others may disagree, but I also think it helps to have a good flock rooster. He wants to keep peace in his flock and he wants the new girls.
The only thing I saw was one of the hens pushing one of the young ones away from the food (I have enough feeders out), but the funny thing about that was it was her daughter she was doing it to.
I've put chickens as young as 3 months one week old and one ten week old in, but that was only because the weather was changing and I wanted everyone in the warmer coop. Again, they could see each other for over a month. There was a little unrest here, nothing major, but, again, I feel the rooster was a big help in their being accepted.

 

[azygous]

My chicks were raised in a pen right next to the adult flock from the time they were day olds. When they turned three weeks, I opened the pop holes from their pen into the main run. They're now eight weeks old, and there have never been any problems since the youngsters learned to find safety in their pen when the pecking order gets too intense.

I also have a lot of perches in all the pens, and an old chair that serves as a high spot to safely rest in the main run.

 

[birdlover24]

Thanks a lot guys! I think i will make a spot for them tomorrow and put them in!