When should I let my 9 week chicks live with the adult hens?

[Appalachickens]

Sure, I think it's a great time to incorporate them. My little ones are usually out with the adults full time by 6 weeks or so. Just take it slowly. The pullets might get a few warning pecks and freak out lol, but it likely won't hurt them. I usually keep the separator door cracked just enough so the little ones can retreat but the big ones can't follow.

Btw love your cute coop! Oh to have flat land like that for building! Everything here is on the side of a mountain, which is gorgeous but makes everything (including walking) difficult sometimes.

Steep land here, too - I had a heck of a time finding even a moderately level spot and had to shoehorn in a coop and run.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Steep land here, too - I had a heck of a time finding even a moderately level spot and had to shoehorn in a coop and run.

Love love love living in the Appalachians but these slopes aren't kind!

 

[Appalachickens]

Love love love living in the Appalachians but these slopes aren't kind!

Not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure.

 

[TLynne1]

I want to ask about my chicks. I have 4 -61 week old Buff Orpingtons. I moved my 2- 8 weeks old Isa Browns and 2- 8 week old Rhode Island Reds in the coop (in a cage). This week (10 was old), I moved the cage out so they can better mix. The older ones eat their food and occasionally peck. The babies stay out of their way. I'm wondering if I released them too soon? The older ones pecking at each other occasionally so I think that's going to happen. This was taken last night. The older ones went to their roost and stayed there while watching the babies come out of their cage (on their own), to move around. They didn't bother them at all. Just a little worried

 

[rosemarythyme]

I want to ask about my chicks. I have 4 -61 week old Buff Orpingtons. I moved my 2- 8 weeks old Isa Browns and 2- 8 week old Rhode Island Reds in the coop (in a cage). This week (10 was old), I moved the cage out so they can better mix. The older ones eat their food and occasionally peck. The babies stay out of their way. I'm wondering if I released them too soon? The older ones pecking at each other occasionally so I think that's going to happen. This was taken last night. The older ones went to their roost and stayed there while watching the babies come out of their cage (on their own), to move around. They didn't bother them at all. Just a little worried

That sounds about right. The older birds should be asserting themselves over the younger ones and the younger ones should be respecting that and staying away if an older one wants them to move. That's pecking order in chickens.

 

[TLynne1]

That sounds about right. The older birds should be asserting themselves over the younger ones and the younger ones should be respecting that and staying away if an older one wants them to move. That's pecking order in chickens.

That is exactly what is happening!! Thank you!!

 

[TLynne1]

One more t

That is exactly what

That sounds about right. The older birds should be asserting themselves over the younger ones and the younger ones should be respecting that and staying away if an older one wants them to move. That's pecking order in chickens.

One more thing: It's been in the high 90s and low 100s. I keep an ice bath in the coop. I replaced the pool with a new one but the older ones still wont let the younger ones in it. How do I keep the younger I younger ones cool? I had a smaller one in their cage but they wont use it. Any ideas?

 

[rosemarythyme]

One more thing: It's been in the high 90s and low 100s. I keep an ice bath in the coop. I replaced the pool with a new one but the older ones still wont let the younger ones in it. How do I keep the younger I younger ones cool? I had a smaller one in their cage but they wont use it. Any ideas?

You can try offering a second "bath" (not sure how big yours are) but you can't really make them use it, nor would I try to force the issue.

Another thought is putting bricks or concrete pavers in just enough water (like putting them in a shallow tray would work) so that the bricks stay barely moist, and birds may be more willing to walk on those since they're not noticeably wet but it will still cool them down a bit.

Make sure there's ample deep shade available and multiple waterers if needed.