What do we have here? And when is it time?

[chicks071123]

Hello all. I have 2 chicks. Being raised by 2 different moms. New to chickens so please be nice.
One is 7 weeks old and one is 5 weeks old. I would like to know if anyone can tell if we have Roos or hens, and tell me when it's times to let them mingle with the flock. They have been able to see the flock since day one. However they are getting big and the smpace is getting small
Pics are below of babies
Too row is the baby that is 7 weeks old, 2nd row is the 5 week old
Thank you in advance

 

[WingItRanch]

Hi! I think the lighter colored chick is a pullet (what we call a hen under 1 year of age) but the photos are a little blurry of the darker chick. Can you get a pic of the comb?

Are you wanting to mingle the 2 mothers with their babies or are you wanting to integrate with a bigger flock? How big is your main flock? How many roosters? Do you free range?

 

[Ridgerunner]

One is 7 weeks old and one is 5 weeks old. I would like to know if anyone can tell if we have Roos or hens,

Based on posture and the thickness of the legs I think the first is a boy and the second a girl.

and tell me when it's times to let them mingle with the flock.

I let mine mingle with the broody on Day 1 so the hen can handle integration. I don't know how much room you have or how many other chickens you have but I'm sure your situation is different. I have a lot of room which I think really helps. My hens teach the rest of the flock to leave her babies alone so by the time she weans them they are no longer being attacked. I've had hens wean their chicks by 3 weeks, I've had some not wean them until close to three months so I cannot tell you when your hens will wean them.

After my hens wean them, the chicks avoid the other adults. They are likely to get pecked if they invade the personal space of the adults so they quickly learn to avoid the adults. The more space they have the easier that is.

A lot of people manage it as you have, keeping the broody and chicks separate for weeks. We all have our own methods and reasons. You can try putting the hens and chicks back with the flock and see how that goes, you could still be very successful. Or you may need to be more hands-on in the integration. Good luck!

 

[chicks071123]

Hi! I think the lighter colored chick is a pullet (what we call a hen under 1 year of age) but the photos are a little blurry of the darker chick. Can you get a pic of the comb?

Are you wanting to mingle the 2 mothers with their babies or are you wanting to integrate with a bigger flock? How big is your main flock? How many roosters? Do you free range?

Thank you for your kindness. I'm not sure what I want to do. Long term yes I regrade with entire flock which is 7 hens(2 Rhode Island Red, 1 Wyandotte,1-EE, and the rest I don't know) 1 sweet rooster. Then the 2 moms and 2 babies. Being new I am concerned the older chicken will pick on them and I've heard stories of killing them.
We have a 16'x8' run with a 4'x6' Carolina coop hen house.

The 2nd baby btw is almost bigger than the first if that matters. Hope these are better pics. Chick is very camera shy

 

[WingItRanch]

Thank you for your kindness. I'm not sure what I want to do. Long term yes I regrade with entire flock which is 7 hens(2 Rhode Island Red, 1 Wyandotte,1-EE, and the rest I don't know) 1 sweet rooster. Then the 2 moms and 2 babies. Being new I am concerned the older chicken will pick on them and I've heard stories of killing them.
We have a 16'x8' run with a 4'x6' Carolina coop hen house.

The 2nd baby btw is almost bigger than the first if that matters. Hope these are better pics. Chick is very camera shy

I'm leaning toward the dark one being a cockerel. This is just judging the splotchy coloring and thicker legs.

Usually the broody hen will protect the babies from the rest of the flock. It's great that you've allowed them all to continue to interact and see each other even though they're separated. You can certainly try to integrate but just keep a close eye. Make sure the little ones can escape and hide if they're overwhelmed. Every situation will be slightly different so you can just make adjustments as you see fit. Good luck!!!!

 

[chicks071123]

Thanks so much!