Hey, I did the same thing - but included bantams and then incubated some eggs from some copper marans I bought and some from my quality copper maran hen (I had been collecting her eggs) and my black giant rooster. I only had one rooster.
Now I have an established laying group of between 1-3 years old.
A group of about 3 months old mixed, a buff (Rooster - I bought 2, 1 died, both were girls - apparently NOT!)
I also bought 3 silver Laced Wyandottes - they are mean - they were from an all girl selection (2 Roo's)
2 red sex links - hoping they are girls - 1 looks like it is acting like a roo!
a bit later - 3 Copper marans - egg quality only - not show - definately one rooster.
A little later - daughter wanted Silkies - so bought some 1-2 week old unsexed silkies - a blue, and 4 black. I put all these guys together - untill the little roo's started to get a bit uppity. Then I split them into 2 groups and then pulled out a CM hen as she was being really pecked on.
next I had the white silkies that showed up at my local TSC. I had to buy 6 - their policy. so I grew them a bit and them put them with the nice chicks.
Meanwhile in about another 3 weeks, My first incubation starts hatching - all of my eggs hatch (mother was killed my something hence definately hatching) only 2 of the purchased eggs hatch, but all the no hatches, have fully formed chickes in each egg.
So I have 5 groups for chicks, at least only two are in the garage. so I too would also like to know how to combine them.
Right now I am seperating out silkies to live with silkies. And am thinking of getting rid of the "Laced Wyandottes" as I don't like their demeanor.
Sorry am very tired and am falling alseep typing.
Sorry, Pecked2Death- I just noticed your message!
You have had quite the run of bad luck with getting roosters! Sorry to hear that. It's so frustrating, isn't it? I have a friend who is going to keep my Barred Plymouth Rock for me, now that he started crowing. I live in a small town, in the city limits and can't have a rooster. One of my Golden Laced Wyandottes is getting waddles and a large comb, with different feathering from the pullet. The others are just a bit too young for anything obvious to stand out as roos. I'll probably end up with 3? roosters out of the 11 chicks I bought.
I was lucky and able to add to my youngest flock twice. The size difference wasn't great enough to start any picking or fighting. They get chased by the Barred Rocks in the yard occasionally, but usually it's over food or who is roosting higher than the other! The babies just scatter and have learned to run fast. Poor things. I check on my chickens many times during the day and watch for any signs of pecking. It's limited to occasional chasing and that's it. I'm OK with that. I have many places for the babies to hide if they need to. It will be interesting to see how the babies act as they get bigger. Nobody has challenged the Barred Rocks yet, except my older, bigger Silkie pullet.
I think it's a good idea to separate out the bantams and Silkies, like you are doing. I've heard over and over again that they typically come out at the bottom of the pecking order. Plus, the Silkies have those nice fluffy feathers for the others to easily pick at! Maybe try combining the younger flocks first, and then integrating them with the older flock? I've heard Wyandottes can be aggressive but don't have problems with mine because they are bossed around by the Barred Rocks! I think combining bigger and smaller chicks has changed their demeanor.
