When to let them go with the others?

[Tricia's Triple Z]

I have 5, 7 week old young ladies in a super huge wire dog pen in with my others. They can not get to each other. I am wondering when I could mix them, (the other 3 are 1yrs and 11 guineas that are the same). I do let them run around the pen when I babysit them and the only issue is when there is something that they think they can eat and the chase begins. My other concern if I mix them is the food, I don't want them to lay prematurely. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[lauralou]

Everything I have read says to wait until the chicks are the same size as the adults, so they won't be hurt too badly as the pecking order is established.

I had an 8 week old chick escape from her pen into the big chicken run, and she got a nasty peck on the head for her trouble. I was there, and put her back in her pen quickly. They should be used to each other, they've been separated by chicken wire for a few weeks, but...