when to add new chickens

[SarahAndChicken]

Earlier i posted another thread and i didnt think i put as many details as i should have and i dont think i asked the right questions. i have 2 chickens that are 5 months old and i have 5 chicks that are just shy of 6 weeks. when i googled how to put them together i saw videos of people puttung their chickens together at 6 weeks with fully grown laying hens (my first question was are my oldest birds old enough because i heard that they get nicer when they start laying) than i also heard that i should wait until they are around the same size so if needed they can defend themselves, which that does make sense but my chicks are still living in the brooder box in my garage and i dont really have the money to make a secure temparary coop and i also dont want them to have to live in that box until they are big enough to go in the coop. if anyone has tips on how to get them to used to each other to make the transition easier that would be GREATLY appreciated.

ps. my coop is not big it is a 8ft square cage with a old redone dog house in it and they get let out when im home to roam the yard and go back in at night (only reason i mention this is because in videos ive watched they set up a little safe area for the chicks and i dont really have the room for that)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would start now, letting them be together in the yard when you can supervise, putting the young ones back to their pen when you are done, do this until you feel comfortable, make sure to let the young ones explore the coop as well, putting the older ones out and the younger in the coop for a while can work if you can't watch them, you have to get them used to the new pen as well as used to each other, you might have trouble because the older ones aren't adults, and because of the lack of room, but you won't know until you try, so good luck

 

[SarahAndChicken]

Thank you!! i just had them out together today and the ladies came over and didnt look like they had good intentions

but there is always tomorrow to try again! i didnt really though of putting the little ones in the coop that is a great idea thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I usually have a you can look but don't touch faze, usually up to two weeks, so if putting the little ones in the coop for the day where they are safe is working than keep it up for a bit, usually until the big ones show no interest in the little ones no more, it's kinda like waiting until the old ones forget that the younger ones weren't there before.