I have a mixed flock of 14 birds that are all 3 months old. 6 are LF, 8 are bantams (including 4 silkies). They are currently all in one coop/run area. I know two of them are roosters, 1 RIR and 1 BLRW bantam. I also have 4 new chicks, 2 polish and 2 d'uccle that are currently in a brooder. I have decided to build a 2nd coop, with the intentions of having a LF coop and a bantam coop. Reasons for this are primarily about space, but also my concerns about keeping the RIR roo in with my tiny bantams. The 4 new chicks will go into the bantam coop when they are ready.
My question is how to go about separating the existing flock. How upset will they be if I move some of them to a new coop? What is the best way to do that? Should I do it before or after I move the new chicks in there? Will they accept the new coop as "home" or will they continue to go to their first coop? I do allow all of my chickens to free range with supervision a big part of the day. We have plenty of property for them to wander, but they will not be kept separate while free ranging unless problems present that require me to free range each flock at different times (which i hope is not the case). Any recommendations and advice appreciated!
My question is how to go about separating the existing flock. How upset will they be if I move some of them to a new coop? What is the best way to do that? Should I do it before or after I move the new chicks in there? Will they accept the new coop as "home" or will they continue to go to their first coop? I do allow all of my chickens to free range with supervision a big part of the day. We have plenty of property for them to wander, but they will not be kept separate while free ranging unless problems present that require me to free range each flock at different times (which i hope is not the case). Any recommendations and advice appreciated!