splitting chicks from rest of flock

[Kalynta]

I have my chicks, now about eight/nine weeks old, in the run with their mum and my six other hybrids, who are laying five/six eggs a day now, my question is, do I leave them altogether in the run, it is quite a large run, or do I separate the chicks into a closed off bit of the run. We put them in about three weeks ago, so mum had more room to potter about. They are all happy and content in there and the chicks are learning loads from being in there. They all go into the same coop at night. We are planning on converting a shed for them in next few weeks, to accommodate all the chicks, which will be about seventeen, if there are not too many cockerels 09 . I think they are bantam crosses, so not over big, but not really small either. The mum dosent look like she is fed up with them and is still happy bedding down with them at night. She happily wanders around with them all day too. It seems such a shame to split them up and would be quite happy leaving them altogether if it will be all OK. They have garden blend and layers pellets to eat and corn for afternoon pudding.... :mrgreen: plus any veg bits and bobs.

mmmmmmm just musing I think, any ideas..... 19

Thanks for reading.

 

[DuckQueeen]

I'd leave them together, as long as there is no problems.

 

[chrismahon]

They usually lose interest in their chicks at 6 weeks or so Kalynta. If they are all getting on fine leave them. But as the cockerels show they will need to come out and be isolated, as a lot of fighting will take place in the presence of hens. Bad enough when it's only cockerels in the pen.

 

[Chuck]

Most peoples concerns are about introducing chicks to the existing flock so if yours are already integrated, look on it as a big bonus and leave them be !
I usualy play it by ear regarding the young males as sometimes if they grow up together, they are OK. They do kick off sometimes but if they have enough space to get away, they settle down again.