2 month olds with 9-10 month hen??

[Jared Vera]

I have 8 2 month old chickens and 1 one 1/2 month ago of chicken, and I have a 9-10 month old hen that is all by herself that has more than enough room for herself. I was wondering if I could put maybe 3-4 of the chickens with the hen that I’d all by herself, I think we can’t, but my family is saying the I must. Can I, or will the hen attack them because of the age and size difference?

 

[tsperry88]

I would not try to integrate a few. You will just double the hassle. At 8 weeks you can begin integration though. If possible let them interact through a fence for several days. So they can see each other, but not fight. They may peck through the fence and that's ok. How big is your run, or do you free range?

 

[RoosterML]

I have everything from week old chicks all the way to roosters all running together. Broody hens and her chicks also stay with the flock. They figure it out. We as humans think we know better.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have 8 2 month old chickens and 1 one 1/2 month ago of chicken, and I have a 9-10 month old hen that is all by herself that has more than enough room for herself. I was wondering if I could put maybe 3-4 of the chickens with the hen that I’d all by herself, I think we can’t, but my family is saying the I must. Can I, or will the hen attack them because of the age and size difference?

What was your overall plan as far as housing? Is there room enough for all of them to be with the hen?

If there's space I'd just integrate them all together with her, starting with see but not touch with a fence in between the two sides for a week or two, so they can acclimate to one another without the older bird being able to get to the younger. When the older bird seems less interested in the younger ones, you can let them mingle (preferably supervised) with plenty of hiding spots and extra feeders out, to keep the peace. If she doesn't go after them too hard, I'd just let them sort things out amongst themselves.