jeshen Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 My three 10-week-old chicks are happily together in eglu classic on the lawn and FR every day. 5 days ago I bought 2 8-week-old chicks who are together in a small wooden coop with small run. I haven't yet let them FR. The older chicks have spent a lot of time eyeballing the younger ones through the run, but not aggressively. I'd like to merge the 2 groups. Am wondering whether just to put the younger two (obviously slightly smaller) in with the older 3 in the classic tonight. Or would it be better to wait a bit and let the younger 2 out to FR on their own before trying to merge? In a way, maybe the earlier they're merged the better??! Advice appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Hi I would wait a couple more days just to make sure they are in good health then tuck them in the eglu at night you will probably hear a bit of noise but just ignore it as they should calm down in the dark then let them out in the morning and access them all. Be ready for the older ones to bully them but as long as they have enough space to get away they should be fine if you can let them all freerange that would be good I mixed some of my growers together a couple of weeks ago and the younger ones were picked on for at least a week but the key is not to feel sorry for them and take them in and out or it just makes it worse easy said than done if you have anything like herban put some in the water as it will be stressful for them goodluck leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 Thanks Leanne - v helpful. I think I might let the little ones out to FR on their own for a bit so they get to know all the hiding places. Maybe I could let them all FR together tomorrow. Then I'll do as you suggest and put the small ones in the eglu in a couple of days, and let them all FR from then on. I'll get some herban too. I think I'll probably need some myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Thanks Leanne - v helpful. I think I might let the little ones out to FR on their own for a bit so they get to know all the hiding places. Maybe I could let them all FR together tomorrow. Then I'll do as you suggest and put the small ones in the eglu in a couple of days, and let them all FR from then on. I'll get some herban too. I think I'll probably need some myself. when you let them FR together before you put them all together let the younger ones out first for a few minutes so that the area is theirs not the older ones I don't know why it helps but most times it does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Yes, good thinking, sjp! Will do that. Have let the littleuns out today on their own but they're v reluctant and have scuttled back to their coop now. May give them a couple of days to FR alone before adding the bigger littleuns. Just got to merge them all with the 5 big girls now, but that can wait a couple of months. What a palaver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Yes, good thinking, sjp! Will do that. Have let the littleuns out today on their own but they're v reluctant and have scuttled back to their coop now. May give them a couple of days to FR alone before adding the bigger littleuns. Just got to merge them all with the 5 big girls now, but that can wait a couple of months. What a palaver! it'll take them a week or so to build up the courage to explore the area,even mine when they're first let out ( normally the 2nd time they get let out first time mom goes out but they won't) with a broody will only stay out of the run for a few minutes before they run back to 'safety' but that's not a bad thing as you don't want them scared of the run or coop but the first time they go running of down the garden full of the joys of life makes it worth while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
