Adding new chicks to group of 10 RIRs.

[jillam]

Hi, I've looked through the other threads and I have gotten some pretty good ideas but I wanted to post my specific situation to hear your advice. I apologize if I am asking something too obvious.
I have had a terrific group of 10 RIR hens since the end of February. So, if they were one day - one week old when I bought them at Tractor Supply they would be around 20 weeks old right now. They have a big coop (around 16x20ft) and I still have my TSC hutch in there that I have added a second story to where they roost at night. I let them out every morning to free range around my horse boarding facility. They spend lots of time inside the barn and there are lots of people here all day long so I feel like they are safe because with all the people around we really don't have any animals coming around. At night they all march themselves up to the second story and go to bed and I close the door right at dark.
ANYWAY, sorry, I digress...
I would like to get about 6 Easter Egger chicks. I have an addition right beside the coop (the whole coop, not the little coop) that shares a whole side with chicken wire in between where I can put the new chicks (see second pic). I was thinking I could put the new chicks there for a few weeks (or what is the right amount of time?) and then let them go outside together...
My big question is, is this is good plan? Will I be sorry for trying to add more chickens? I would just really like to have more chickens and also have some "Easter Eggs". My RIRs haven't started laying yet. Starting Aug. 1 I plan to keep them in until around noon so hopefully they will lay in the nesting boxes.
I am having such a good time with the "girls" and all of my customers (I teach mostly kids to ride) are really enjoying them too. I have lots of orders for eggs as soon as they start laying!
Any help that I could get would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!
Jill

 

[Judy]

A second living space separated by chicken wire is ideal. People do this many different ways. Probably an average suggestion for living next door phase would be 2 to 4 weeks. You may be able to tell when it's time by their behavior. Then you can try combining them early in the night, ro while outdoors in a large space with distractions, hiding places, and more than one feeding station. Good luck!