If there is a big difference in size, I would hold off. Putting the older ones in a pen while the younger ones acclimate might work.
I have 25 6 week old pullets and we are putting them in a bigger pen in the middle of the barnyard. The other chickens will see them and vice versa. I won’t turn them loose until they are closer in size to the older gals. I also don’t let the little ones free range until bigger and more worldly. We have hawks and they seem to zone in on younger tender chicken more than the tough old birds. (cest la vie!)
Laura
Laura Roberts
R Half Pint Farm
From:
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:11 PM
To:
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Young and Old
Any of you sage experienced chicken keepers have advice for integrating the new babies with the old biddies? Side by side? Safety in numbers? The young and the quick hopefully don't be come the young and the dead? Can I house the old ladies separately in a smaller pen while I get the young ones used to the coop and how to come home at dusk?
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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