Blending two small flocks

[JillD413]

How do you have your roost(s) set up? The hens are going to try and dominate the preferred roost spots, so having 2 or more bars (or extra space if only 1 bar) is helpful.

I don't intervene as long as the younger birds know how to roost. I've been finding one or two of my pullets on the lower roost lately but as long as everyone is roosting somewhere, it's fine by me.

Thanks for your input!
I have two perch branches set up in the coop. There is plenty of room for all of the girls to roost easily.
The only challenge seems to be that the queen of the older girls exhibits such persistent dominant behavior over the pullets. I think she tends to show her aggression toward the dominate pullet most. It is kind of hard to tell because when Sapphire shows up all of the younger girls get out of her way. One of the hens, Millie, mostly ignores the pullets. Buffy, the other hen, seems to only be snotty if she is eating and the younger girls show up. I do have two feeding and watering stations to help eliminate any of the girls being prevented from having access to feed. Maybe I am expecting them to adjust more quickly than is realistic. I have no prior experience with this process. That fact alone is fuel for my basket full of questions and concerns.
I will take your advice and leave them to roost where they choose. Hopefully by the time cold weather gets here everyone will have settled into their own spot inside the coop for the night.
Thanks again for taking the time to read my concerns and respond. I have found BackYard Chickens to be such an amazing platform filled with information and encouragement during my first year as a chicken momma. I had no idea how much there was, and continues to be, to learn about these little feathered dinosaurs.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Maybe I am expecting them to adjust more quickly than is realistic. I have no prior experience with this process. That fact alone is fuel for my basket full of questions and concerns.

So far there doesn't seem to be any major problems with how your flock is interacting. You'll have a much better idea if there's any "problems" that need addressing once the pullets are all laying - my guess is things will smooth out a lot more between the two age groups, and most of the existing issues will resolve themselves.