[grinling]

My 7 week old chicks are in the main hen house whilst the 2 hens are next door in the rabbit hutch (only used for sleeping). When can I mix them as the chicks are on growers and the hens on layers.?Chick numbers will prob go down as they crow.

[jhub]

I assume they haven't got a 'mother' hen?
I was advised  to introduce youngsters to the others between 16 and 20 weeks of age. partly depends on size of youngsters.

[rileyfin]

jhub is right, it depends on the size.

If they are roughly the same size start to let them out in the same pen during the day. make sure the pen is large and there are 2/3 feeding and water stations. I mix the growers and layers pellets it does not do either party any harm.

After 4/7 days, depending how they are getting on, wait till older girls have gone to bed and it is dark and pop the youngersters in with them over night.

There will be the odd scuffle but this should soon settle down. 

[cheekychick22]

My chicks hsve been in since day 1 broidy protects them well and the other hens tend to just ignore them

[jhub]

I think it's different if they have a 'mummy' to protect them.

[grinling]

Thanks for that, they are still slightly smaller than my bantam so will continue with the segregation.