I have 10 pullets that are about 8 weeks old - Americaunas and Production Reds. I already have 3 big ones in my flock - 1 Aracauna Roo and 1 hen, and a RIR hen. These are all about 1 1/2 years old. These hens lay regulary. My question is when and how should I integrate the younger ones with the older ones?? Also, when and how should I begin to change the pullets feed to what the big ones eat? At present the pullets are in a pen right next to the big ones, so they have already seen each other for the past month. They just haven't actually been in the same pen together. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks and God bless.
Generally, you switch to layer pellets right about when they are at point of lay. This means for your pullets, you have about 14 more weeks or more. I think point of lay is usually considered to be around 24 weeks. Until then, the chicks nutritional needs are different from the adult birds. So wait on the feed. Because the difference in feed, you may want to keep them apart until then. I think letting the birds get close to one another, and interact is a great way to get them used to each other. When I have had hens hatch chicks, I have feed a grower with lots of extra calcium available. If you want to integrate your flock sooner, this is an option.
You can do it much sooner if you switch everyone to an all flock or grower feed with a calcium supplement is a side dish for the layers. Mine were mingling free range at about twelve weeks of course they still had separate coops.
