Adding 6- 8 week old chicks to an existing 20 week old flock?

[Twyll]

I have one rooster and 7 hens(20 weeks), will they hurt my babies 6 hens (8 weeks). When and how should I introduce them. They can already see and hear each other. I have joining coops and runs. But I will want them all together in the bigger coop come winter. They eat different food too at the moment? Will that be an issue?

 

[Judy]

Having them next to each other is a great idea. Personally, I would be reluctant to put them together until the little ones are about the same size as the older ones -- but people do have successess with all sorts of approaches. Here is a thread with a lot of discusion of this subject, and a link to an excellent article on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/803815/integrating-two-groups/0_20