When to let chick in with big girls?? Please read, need advise!

[JaciesCoop]

I have 1 roo and 9 hens in one side of the coop with their own run and a mama and baby (26 days old) who are in a sectioned off part of the coop with their own little side run.
The 2 can see the other chickens all the time and pace up and down their fencing like they are wanting in with the others.

My question is: Is it too soon to integrate them with the big girls.
My roo got in with them by accident yesterday and didn't seem to bother the little one at all.

Can I open up the coop and run so they can all mingle or should I wait.

Thanks for any reply in advance.

Jacie

PS: Mama and baby (Ruthie and Firecracker)

 

[Marlinchaser]

You can give it a trial run, If mom is good she will warn others to leave the babies alone, HOWEVER if she was bottom of pecking order they may not listen. I have had it go both ways. I have found that other broodies are worse than the regular hens. Let them together and see how it goes if they get picked on put them back in thier own section for a little longer.

 

[JaciesCoop]

Thanks for replying. Ruthie has always held her own with the other. Not at the top of the pecking order but certainly not at the bottom.
I think what I'll do is just open the door that joins the 2 runs and see how it goes. Hopefully it will be just fine.

Thanks again

 

[mmwb]

Consider going the other way around, by introducing the mature birds, one at a time, to the younger. Rumor has it that there is less bullying going on with this approach. Gives the big birds a chance to get used to the little ones, while allowing some time to reestablish pecking order. If the roo was behaved, then make sure he is in there first.

 

[JaciesCoop]

That will be a little difficult to do they way everything is set up. I can see how it would help but I'm afraid the visiting hen would get so frustrated that she would take it out on the little one.

Ruthie is from my 1st group of 5 girls. I've had them since they were a week old and the 5 of them pretty much run the place.

Thanks again for the ideas. Keep them coming please
Jacie who will be reading before I do anything!

 

[cmom]

I would say you can try. If your hen is a good mom she will protect the baby. If you see any aggression then you can separate them.