What if instead of trying to introduce my 12 wk & 6 wk old chicks during the day, I just stuff them into the coop at night when they are all asleep. I have one Barred Rock pullet that isn't any bigger than my 6 wk old Rhode Island Reds and Black Sex-links. I want to move her away from "Big" Bertha and Chicken Little (who is FINALLY starting to catch up to Bertha in size) I'm thinking that if she is in there with them she will have a chance to catch up. Do you think they will know the difference if I switch them from one bed to another in the middle of the night?
This may be a bit wordy, so I apologise ahead of time. I have struggled the past few weeks trying to combine my 13 week and 9 week old chicks. The 9 week old's crate sat beside the older ones for several weeks. Tried putting the biggest 9 week old in with the older ones only to have to remove it after 4 days. Absolutely no room for the 4 younger ones in their crate anymore. To make a long story short, I finally got frustrated and Saturday afternoon I basically threw the 4 younger ones in with the 6 older ones. We've had a few skirmishes but no major battles. The two groups basically keep to themselves but are able to share the same space. Does that make sense? They eat, drink and go outside. At night, they all share the same roosts. I say go for it, keep an eye out. My theory is, if there is no blood they can work it out amongst themselves. It's alot harder on us "mommies" than it is on them. Good luck.
Thanks, I'll give it a try. Bertha is just such a bully of the Henny & ChickenLittle. They've been side by side for about 2 weeks now so maybe now it will work. Thanks again, Coyote
Now I feel really bad. I went out a few minutes ago to move Henny in with the others. Thought it might go easier after dark and everyone was asleep. I couldn't find her!!! All I could think of is that something managed to snatch her out of the run. Bertha & ChickenLittle were snuggled up in the coop/doghouse but no signs of Henny. I looked and looked and looked. For some reason I decided to look under the coop which is up on cinderblocks. There she was huddled up all by herself. Bertha & CL aren't happy with me for waking them, but I finally got Henny out from under the coop. She didn't put up much of a fuss. I took her and popped her in with the others in the other coop/doghouse and closed the door. Peep peep peep and that was it, all was quiet again. Here's hoping things are that quiet tomorrow when I open the door back up.