When & how to integrate three different ages?

[chickenbike]

I have:

1) one hen and one rooster who are 1 year old - in their own ark & run

2) 14 pullets and cockerels who are 6.5 weeks old - in their own coop & run

3) 4 chicks who are 3.5 weeks old - inside in a large 4' x 4' brooder set up


What is the best way to integrate them all?

The chicks are getting very active and will be ready to be outside very soon. I don't have a third ark or coop area. Can the 4 chicks be put in with the 6.5 week olds? With 14 of them would they be less likely to notice 4 new little ones? Will they be too rough with them?

I'd like the 6.5 week olds to accept the little ones and then not introduce the two adult birds until they are all 16 weeks old.


I read this page:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

but I didn't read anything about introducing older chicks to younger chicks.

Thanks for any help!!

 

[Chicky Mama]

We have a flock of quite a few,first set hatched back at mid March. The next ones range from April thru May 11.We keep new ones old enough to be outside, penned seperate from the rest,aftersome time we open the door and wait.Some integrate easy and some are just targets.

Try that and see how it goes.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Well 1st, do not put the 3 week old chicks with the older ones- big mistake. they will kill them,
Its better to put more younger stock to older stock. Example: since you have 2 year old birds, put the 6.5 week old birds with them, since there is so many babies, they will be less likley to bully them, or single out the little ones like the 4 3week olds.

They still will peck the youngsters, and if you could raise them all up to atleast 3 months or so, the adult birds wouldnt bother them after the pecking order is established.

I wouldn't want to put 6week old chicks with adult birds though. Specially a rooster.

 

[chickenbike]

Thank you both for your replies.

stuckinthecity, what you've said is what I was thinking. I'm really not comfortable with the rooster being in with the little ones either.

I think I will have my husband build another small ark for the 4 youngest ones. I thought I could avoid having him build again (he just finished building me a beautiful new large coop!), but I don't want to compromise the safety of any of the birds.

I'll just have to bake him another fresh pie!

That way I can wait until everyone is 16 weeks or so. I don't mind the pecking order sorting, but I would be devastated to have any bird killed.

 

[sandyj]

I have 4 different ages of chicks. They all live together just fine. I think I'm lucky. They are 4 weeks to 16 weeks. I think the two younger aged one would work well together.

sandyj

 

[BushHog936]

Don't put chickens under 1 year in with an adult flock. They will terrorize them and not allow them to eat, drink, etc. Some may be picked to death. Try it and see.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Quote:
I am HORRIBLE at building
Be lucky you have someone to build you nice coops! LOL

Good luck, im sure everything will turn out right.

 

[chickenbike]

Quote:
Okay...my husband will build another small ark and run for the 4 little ones. He built an amazing coop this spring (keep meaning to get some photos of it for the coop pages) so I'll do some special baking for him!

I will keep everyone separate until they are 16-18 weeks old then.

Thanks everyone for your replies!!