[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

Hi
I have 2 chicks at 9 weeks old and 4 that are 5 weeks old, when would they be able to go in together I don't want to leave it too long but don't want it to be too early for the smaller ones!
Thanks

[Q]

I don't know of any 'rules' about this so this may not help but....
I have the same situation with three batches of chicks 10 weeks 7 weeks and 5 weeks.
I think my age gap is too big and I will keep them separate (but in the next pen) until the youngest is about 9-10 weeks.
Then I separate the cockerels away and join the hens together - I will probably be culling the older cockerels at the same time this year. 
Worked out well last year   

[devonlady]

I would put them in together but keep an eye out for excessive violence. There may be a bit of bullying but they should shake down together in a day or so.

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

Thanks may give it another week then these will be my breeders so want them to go in together just running out of room ha

[chrismahon]

We have found that after they are 2 weeks old they have formed a flock and there will be fighting when put together. An age gap of more than a week can put the smaller ones at a major disadvantage but this becomes less noticeable as they get older. The important thing is to increase the run size proportional to the increase in numbers, unless you have a huge run. Also to double up on feeders and drinkers.

[Marches Farmer]

If we have to merge groups of slightly different ages we put the whole lot into a different housing area, so there's no established territory for either group.  We put them in just before dusk and scatter grain on the ground so they're more interested in that intitially and darkness will circumvent the first round of henpecking.  We would also split out the males from females at the same time. 

[Stereo]

Agree with Marches Farmer. Put them in but in a new place. The bigger ones will be more worried about their new surroundings than beating up the little guys. Also a good few feeders and drinkers so the bigger birds can't bully the little ones off one feeder. They'll generally sort it all out in 24 hours.

[Kimbo]

great advice guys. Im going to be faced with this same problem in a couple of months and have also been pondering how to get round it.
Leaving them until they are a bit older, splitting sexes and a different housing unit sounds just the job.

What a mine of good sense you all are