When will chicks/pullets fully integrate?

[MPchicks]

We introduced our 7/8 week pullets in with our flock because we had a surprise cold snap and I wanted to make sure the young ones were warm enough. They have been in a separate coop and run next to the main coop. We placed them in at night and the adults are tolerant at night time. During the day the 2 chicks stay together and the rest of the flock goes off and do their own thing. About what age will they start moving with the rest of the flock?

 

[jeepgirl13]

We introduced our 7/8 week pullets in with our flock because we had a surprise cold snap and I wanted to make sure the young ones were warm enough. They have been in a separate coop and run next to the main coop. We placed them in at night and the adults are tolerant at night time. During the day the 2 chicks stay together and the rest of the flock goes off and do their own thing. About what age will they start moving with the rest of the flock?

I've been wondering this myself. I've got 2 almost 12 weeks old young chickens that I introduced into the main coop over 2 weeks ago, and although they will go into the house with bigger ladies, they wont come out until I've let the older girls out to range, and even then they stay in the run and dont venture out.

 

[Cryss]

Usually just as or shortly after they start laying. At least that's been how mine have acted.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Quite often they will always be of their own flock kinda go maybe close to others but sill alone

 

[Cryss]

Quite often they will always be of their own flock kinda go maybe close to others but sill alone

Yes, this too.

 

[MPchicks]

Quite often they will always be of their own flock kinda go maybe close to others but sill alone

I've noticed this with a couple of my hens. We have a mixed breed flock and even though they all kind of wander together there are some that kind of do their own thing.

 

[pennyJo1960]

It will probably stay that way I have 4 different groups in my coop built table out of pallets to roost on have three in their now have 13 my dirty dozen and one blue marans growing up

 

[Folly's place]

Often, family groups stick together, and it's normal. Part of the social order.
Mary

 

[Acre4Me]

I’ve got mixed ages from 5 different batches of chicks that are 20 months, 13 months, 8 months, 6 months, 3.5 months. Every time, as @Cryss mentioned, they begin to gel together when the younger ones begin to lay. Until then, the same age chicks hang out together, usually away from the older ones.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I have a second coop and run where I put my broody hens. The broody and her babies tend to stay in the 2nd coop for months. Then suddenly, they start to integrate with the "original" flock and start "sleeping" in the "big" coop and run. I open both runs and coop doors each day and they hang out and sleep where they want to. I have noticed that they all eventually prefer our larger coop! Chickens. . .who knows what they are thinking?