[princesslayer]

Hi,

I've been raising my first five chicks without the aid of their mother (she went off the eggs at the last minute - long story). So they are separate from the others. When can they all mix up? They are currently 11 weeks and pretty big, I'd say 3/4 size of an adult at most.

My cockerel is very nice but is also 'disabled' from a dog attack and limps about very sedately, otherwise big and healthy. Will he have a go at the cocks? If they get brave, could they try and have a go at him as he can't move that fast? Does it matter if the cock covers the pullets at this age?

I can keep them separate but if I do they don't get to free range much so I'd like them all to go out together ASAP. We'll be eating the chicks and keeping the hens for laying.

Thanks

[chrismahon]

We don't mix ours until they are properly able to defend themselves which means when they are laying. At that time they will go onto layers pellets and that's what the adults will be on. Certainly never before 18 weeks because that's the earliest pullets can go onto layers anyway.

[Dave C]

I put my pullet hens in with the main group at about 14-16 weeks, they get picked on for a few weeks but never had a problem.

[Marches Farmer]

The young males will most likely respect the older one.  Bullying of youngsters will often depend on how much space they have, both for ranging and roosting, and the temperament of the birds.  We keep ours in groups of not more than three weeks' age difference.