Chicks at 6 weeks

Our chicks have come a long way since we got them over a month ago.  They are now fully feathered and look like adult chickens.  They still have quite a bit of growing to do over the next few month before they will reach their final size.  At this point the chicks can almost deal with the weather all on their own.  We will still keep them inside for about a week before putting them out with the older chickens.  They no longer need to be under a heat lamp, but the nights are still getting cold, that is why we are waiting.  The next challenge will be integrating them with our current flock.  There will be quite a bit of pecking but the chicks will survive.  The older hens will be letting them know where they are in the pecking order, which is sure to be at the bottom.  We will discuss integrating new chick in with old hens soon.  Stay tuned.