Adding a couple older hens to young flock

[Fluffy1804]

I've got a batch of 26 Freedom Rangers in a movable tractor that are about 7 weeks old, and a flock of 14 layers (of various breeds) that are 3 weeks old. The layers are currently in their coop with a heat lamp.

Processing day for the Rangers is fast approaching, but I'd like to keep 2-3 hens back so I can get a couple eggs a little sooner, and I also need some very fat hens for my grandmother's Chicken and Dumpling's recipe. Ideally, I'd like to add the Ranger hens to the flock of younger layers - but I wasn't sure when it might be safe to do so? I realize that the Rangers won't make great layers, and probably won't live very long - but I'd like to try to keep them around until the younger bird start laying. Any tips on how to do this?

Thanks!

 

[NatJ]

When you butcher the other Freedom Rangers, put the females you want to keep in the coop with the other chicks. Watch to see how it goes.

Because the Freedom Rangers will be older and bigger, they should not get bullied or picked on. Because the layers are more numerous and are used to living there, they probably won't get bullied or picked on much either.

Of course, watch to see how it goes. You might have to separate them into adjoining pens for a few weeks to get used to each other through a wire fence--but I think you will be able to just put them together and have it work fine.