When can my 12 chicks move out of their partition to join 14 layers?

[PJCluck]

Help, experts! I have had my 12 new chicks (May 2) in a partition on the floor in a good-sized coop with their own water and chick feed. The 14 layers come and go as they please, eyeing the chicks through the hardware cloth. Their layer feed has been outside the coop. The chicks are getting big! When can I release them to the general population so they can have the run of the coop and the outside pen? Do I need to worry that the layers will attack the newbies? And how do I keep the chicks on their own grower mash and the hens on their own layer mash?

 

[SoFluffy]

They should be alright, the layers are probably curious (like my Barred Plymouth Rock)

 

[DAFox]

Quote:
I don't combine chicks and adults until the chicks are at least 16 weeks old. Older is better. The adults will likely injure or kill the young ones at this age. If you have no other way to keep them separated, make sure that the young ones have areas to escape to that the adults can't get to them. You will have to feed all of them the unmedicated grower food with oyster shell on the side for your layers. And expect that there may be injury or death. You may want to put just a few adults with the chicks at first, to see how it works out.
Dale-Ann

 

[crazyhen]

The new chicks should be the same apprx. size as the hens. They will start a new pecking order in the flock and the younger ones maybe hurt by them. If nec. remove the head hen to prevent to much damage when you introduce them. She will be the first to peck at them and start the others. Take your time with the introduction.

Gloria jean

 

[miraclz5]

In my reading it seems that "about the same size as the current laying hens" is the general consensus...although, I know of several people who have introduce new chicks that are younger (not as young as your chicks from May2) 6+ weeks old without incident. I personally would wait a little longer just to be safe, but I think the most important thing is to watch for pecking and anyone getting picked on.....Good Luck!

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

My chicks are about the same age as your chicks (10 of them), got them on May 18th & they were two weeks old. Got 3 more, 2 weeks after that, but have them separate from the older girls. I started introducing them almost two weeks ago, the younger 3 keep to themselves, and my 3 BR will come over & peck at them from time to time, the BO would come over and look, but no pecking.
On Wed. I got two more babies (I could not resist), the three little ones & the new babies get on so well, and will snuggle together at bed time & will all take dust baths together. I put the 5 little ones in with the older girls in the run, and the older girls were coming over & picking on the little babies, so we stood guard, till the older girls lost interest in the babies.

So I am off to get some fencing to separate the big girls & the little ones while they are in the run, till everyone is comfortable with each other (I figure in another month or so). The little ones will still sleep in the house at night.

 

[Ken F]

I moved my twelve 10 week olds into the main coop two weeks ago when and they are getting along fine with the 30 older hens and roosters. They maintain a separate flock while free-ranging during the day and roost separately (but in the same coop) at night. If you have enough space they should be fine. I feed all of them grower crumbles and provide oyster shell free choice for the hens that are laying.