adding chickens

[mary24]

We have 3 leghorns and 1 golden comet that are 10 weeks old now in the bottom part of our barn and just starting free ranging yesterday (due to fencing) and we have a total of 26 more that are Ameraucanas, black Australorp, RIR and more golden comets that are 5 weeks old that needed more space from the building there in so we combined the 2 groups. I know that there is a pecking order that needs to be done but what I was wondering is if I open the door and let them all free range will that help them get along or speed the process up alittle or should I keep them all locked up to get used to each other before continuing free range? I checked in on them this morning and all seems well. No first aid needed so far. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Still new at this.

 

[hisdaughter]

Wish I could be of some assistance but I am new at this too. I have several groups of different age chickens and have tried to integrate them buy placing them in the same coop. Like you said there is a pecking order that needs to be worked out. As far as I can tell, mine will side by side free range but then when it comes to roosting, they stay seperate. Go figure?

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
Free ranging together would be just fine. Familiarity over time is a good thing. Being out will give them distractions and not lend it`self to conflict as much as confinement........Pop