when can I put my chicks together?

[sunshineinsc]

I'm getting 4 month old RIRs and 6 wk olds this weekend. Should I wait to put them together/ how soon can I put them together?
thanks

 

[RoyalHillsLLC]

My most recent experience has been they need to be at least 3 1/2 to 4 months old to survive with bigger birds while confined together. I tried putting a RIR and a couple similarly aged birds in with adults and she was pecked to death as soon as I was out of sight. While I was there they seemed to be getting along. I wouldn't chance putting them together unless you could watch them close for a long time and be certain they won't peck too much.
The others did ok but for some reason they pounced on the RIR and killed her.

 

[mmajw]

You could try putting them in pens so that they can see eachother but so they 4 month olds cant hurt the 6 week olds. If all seems well after a couple days you could try putting a younger one in with the older ones for a few minutes and see how it goes. Watch carefully though you may need to quickly remove her.

You may need to wait until the 6 week olds are old enough to fend for themselves.