Is it possible to merge 14 week olds with my 8 month olds?

[Just Chicks]

Can young chickens (3,14 weeks old) go live in coop after forging for over a month with the 3 older (8 month old) hens? Im not sure how to manage their food inside the coop though as the young ones have been eating grower and the older, layer…do I really have to wait until they start laying before merging? Thanks!

 

[Yardmom]

If your birds have been together outside for a month they are ready to sleep in the same coop. If you are concerned about your young birds getting to much calcium feed everyone the grower (or all flock) with oyster shells on the side.

 

[Just Chicks]

If your birds have been together outside for a month they are ready to sleep in the same coop. If you are concerned about your young birds getting to much calcium feed everyone the grower (or all flock) with oyster shells on the side.

Thank you!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I've merged younger groups than that after a month. and as @Yardmom says, using an "All Flock" type feed w/ free choice oyster shell solves your feed problems, is better nutrition for your flock, and for the typical small flock backeyarder, will only cost you a little more each year in feed. Locally, the difference between a quality "layer" and a quality "All Flock" is about $2/50# bag at the farm store.

Obviously, if you feed organic, soy free, or similar, your price difference will be more substantial.

 

[Just Chicks]

I've merged younger groups than that after a month. and as @Yardmom says, using an "All Flock" type feed w/ free choice oyster shell solves your feed problems, is better nutrition for your flock, and for the typical small flock backeyarder, will only cost you a little more each year in feed. Locally, the difference between a quality "layer" and a quality "All Flock" is about $2/50# bag at the farm store.

Obviously, if you feed organic, soy free, or similar, your price difference will be more substantial.

Thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

do I really have to wait until they start laying before merging?

Others have told you how many of us handle the feeding issues. That probably answered your questions.

Behaviorally, I've had broody hens hatch with the flock and raise chicks with the flock until they weaned the chicks at 3 weeks up to more than 2 months. The chicks are then left on their own to make their own way with the flock. Even the 3-week-old ones do.

I've raised chicks in a brooder in the coop and integrated them at a younger age than yours (5 weeks). I've raised them in a grow-out coop and integrated at 8 weeks. If you have questions about that portion of it let us know. As long as you have room in your coop I think you are doing great.

Good luck!

 

[Just Chicks]

Thank you! I plan to see where they go tonight, I’m hoping they follow the older girls, if not, I will place them n a perch in the coop and open doors in the morning for all…maybe I should keep the young ones in coop so they know that is where they need to go now?

 

[Yardmom]

Birds often need to learn where home is. Sometimes that means shutting them in for a week, or it might mean showing them where to go every evening until they do it on their own. Be aware that younger birds usually go in later than older birds

 

[Just Chicks]

Birds often need to learn where home is. Sometimes that means shutting them in for a week, or it might mean showing them where to go every evening until they do it on their own. Be aware that younger birds usually go in later than older birds

They went in n their own! Last night I placed them and this evening they went in on their own