[BARNACLE BILL]

Hi I hatched 4 chicks with a broody in the late summer. They are now 12 1/2 weeks old. There are 4 hens and a cockerel . The area they are in has now become a quagmire.  Are they still to young to put in the main area about (400 square foot) There are 6 ISA browns in there. When I put the broody back in 2 weeks ago a couple gave her a hard time. But things seem to have settled down.  Is it to early or will the natural pecking order sort things out ?

BB

[New shoot]

Is it possible to section off a piece of the run and get a temporary coop installed for them?  They may struggle a bit with the big girls being so young and an introduction period like this will make things much easier. 

If you do mix them, make sure to put in extra food and water containers, so they get a chance at both.  Be prepared to get them back out if the bullying gets out of hand as well.  Could you mulch their existing run with bark or something similar to get them out of the mud?

[Sassy]

Agree New Shoot. If you can section a piece off of the main run this will also help the older ones get used to them. I do this and have not had a problem when the fencing comes down.

[BARNACLE BILL]

Their run is next to the main run. So they have had contact this way. It' just looking at the size comparison the pullets look just over half the size of the hens in the main run.

BB

[New shoot]

It will be a bit different when they 'invade' the territory of the existing flock.  I would still consider a run within a run