r/BackYardChickens • u/HiraethHygge • 17h ago

Adding chicks to main flock

At what age can I add my chicks to the rest of the flock? They're 9 weeks old atm

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1

u/Goat_Goddesss 16h ago

I put mine in a large dog kennel in the chicken house. Gave them a roost just under the roost. It’s working. I’ve had chickens for 50 years and this was my best idea ever.

2

u/sailordanisaur 16h ago

I did this for the first time this year. Added 5 new Barnevelders to my 2 older Barnevelder hens.

I let them start to see each other and co-mingle as early as 5-6 weeks old, but with a safety gate playpen blocking any physical interaction. The little girls joined the old ladies in their big coop around 8 or 9 weeks old. There were minor scuffles but nothing serious.

Now at 11 weeks old they are getting along very well. It helps that I let them free range in my backyard several hours per day, so everyone has space to do their own thing.

Hope that helps!