Chicken flock meld

[Whoops]

So, I have the two older hens in one coop and the NYD chicks in another. I would like to meld my little chicken gangs. The NYD chicks are a roo and a pullet. George, the pullet, is a wuss. Hattie, one of the older hens is a psychopath.

I have let them free range together for a few weeks, during the weekends and now, in the evenings when I get home from work. I often see them in in a bunch, but George likes to keep her distance and is quick to skitter off. Astrid, the little cockerel is very protective of George and quick to intervene.

Should I just stuff them all in the same coop?

My current plan is to do that Friday night, then let them all free range saturday, and stuff the NYD chicks back in the with the big girls Saturday night and then let them free range Sunday, I am thinking this would be the most likely to be a peaceable transisition as they will have all the space to get out of eachother's personal space during the day when they are free ranging.

Is there a better plan? Am I being too paranoid?

Also, I have starter food for the chicks and layer feed for the hens. I was going to mix the two until I ran out of layer, then switch to grower for the mixed flock. Does this sounds okay?

sorry to be such a worry wart. They are my pets. I don't want George to get abused excessively, but she is such a wimp she kind of asks for it.

 

[red horse ranch]

So, I have the two older hens in one coop and the NYD chicks in another. I would like to meld my little chicken gangs. The NYD chicks are a roo and a pullet. George, the pullet, is a wuss. Hattie, one of the older hens is a psychopath.

I have let them free range together for a few weeks, during the weekends and now, in the evenings when I get home from work. I often see them in in a bunch, but George likes to keep her distance and is quick to skitter off. Astrid, the little cockerel is very protective of George and quick to intervene.

Should I just stuff them all in the same coop?

My current plan is to do that Friday night, then let them all free range saturday, and stuff the NYD chicks back in the with the big girls Saturday night and then let them free range Sunday, I am thinking this would be the most likely to be a peaceable transisition as they will have all the space to get out of eachother's personal space during the day when they are free ranging.

Is there a better plan? Am I being too paranoid?

Also, I have starter food for the chicks and layer feed for the hens. I was going to mix the two until I ran out of layer, then switch to grower for the mixed flock. Does this sounds okay?

sorry to be such a worry wart. They are my pets. I don't want George to get abused excessively, but she is such a wimp she kind of asks for it.

You didn't say how old the chicks are? If they are at least 2 months old it would be worth trying. But be prepared to intervene if the chicks are abused. I usually start integrating mine when the chicks are around 3 months old.
As for feed, your hens still need the layer mix but as long as they have oyster shell they would probably be okay with grower for a while. The chicks shouldn't eat layer mix because the calcium content is too high for them.

 

[Whoops]

That you for the reply! The chicks are NYD chicks - they hatched January 1 and are about 12 weeks old.

 

[Whoops]

Well, I think it's definitely getting time for the merge. Astrid, the little roo, was trying very hard to round the big girls up with him and the pullet in the grow out coop because there was a cat in the yard. He almost succeeded with Hecate. Hattie blithely ignored him.

 

[red horse ranch]

Well, I think it's definitely getting time for the merge. Astrid, the little roo, was trying very hard to round the big girls up with him and the pullet in the grow out coop because there was a cat in the yard. He almost succeeded with Hecate. Hattie blithely ignored him.

Hooray for Astrid!

Hatti may end being his favorite. My bantam rooster LOVES the big girls.