adding new chicks to a flock...

[pia11]

OK, I have read the threads on this issue - but here's a slight twist on the question:
After buying 14 eggs from a breeder and incubating them (only 4 hatched!) we brought the new chicks home to a brooder coop
with a heat lamp, cozy nest, etc. They are about 2 1/2 months old now, and go out everyday, forage around in the same area
as my original flock (only 3 hens and one roo) - but each tiny flock acts like the other doesn't exist. Will they ever integrate?
I am not going to put the young chickens into the larger coop until they're fully grown - but I thought the integration might happen naturally?
Any thoughts?

 

[cmoore333]

I have several chickens at different ages and they seem to do the same thing.. I did notice lately my six month chicks are now hanging out with my original flock more now (I kind of thought it was because they are close to laying and about the same size as my original flock even a few are bigger then my original hens) I do even have two sets of chicks that are only a few weeks apart and they kind of hang out somewhat together..

 

[pia11]

Thank you, that is kind of reassuring - I wondered if they'd established their family, and would just ignore the others
long term. We kept a chick out of a friend's red renger order, and our dominique chicks - two weeks older took her in and treat her like a coddled baby. Interesting how they were able to make that connection, but not at all with the adults. The grown hens were even broody - but refused to be near the babies.

 

[No nuggets here]

I totally understand! I also have issues integrating my chickens. 5 hens-18mo old and 2 hens-7mo old. I have them in separate pens however I do let them all free range in the fenced property regularly. They all are very segregated. 2RIR stick to each other as well as 2PR...the other, baldy RIR, just wanders around...she gets beat up and then proceeds to try and beat up my 7mo old BO...UGH!!! My other 18mo hens have also displayed aggressive behavior toward the buffs so now my buffs stay together staying a far distance away from all the older hens. I'm new at this so please give me some pearls of wisdom. I'm starting to think its not gonna work out which makes me sad because I love the buff orps but they may be too docile for my very assertive and somewhat aggressive RIR's and PR's

 

[blazen71]

Don't worry Nuggets, they will work things out!