Combing Flocks

[ccammarata1]

I have 2 females, a barred rock and RIR that are 8-10 weeks old. I wanted to get 2 more barred rock crosses. They are 2 weeks old right now, when can I put them all together? I know the chicks need to stay under the heat lamp for a few more weeks. I have a 4x4 coop so theres plenty of room, i was thinking of just putting a seperator in? any suggestions? my chicks are free range. And will the younger ones follow the older ones to the coop at night?

 

[JessesGirl]

I hope someone answers you because I'm new to this stuff and had the same questions. I have 10 chicks about 9 weeks old and on the 20th I'm getting 18 more from a Hatchery so I think they will be wee ones. I don't know when or how to intro them to the rest of the girls.
I was reading another post that said you should keep them apart until they are rather close in size and then let them all outside together and keep an eye out to make sure none overly attack the others. I saw another post that said start intro at night time as they all go nighty night so aren't as inclined to fight....but I gotta tell you from my own chicks I would not do that. I think you should be nearby. Can you put a simple chicken wire fence between them? That way they can get used to each other as they grow yet still be separated (and safe from one another) until they are close enough in size to start hanging together. But be prepared for them to always stay in their cliques. I have two breeds now and they are a couple weeks apart in age when I got them so I had them in separate tubs for about 3 weeks. They have all been in their coop together for 2 weeks but they still hang only with each other. Birds of a feather......

 

[Judy]

Here is a good article on combining flocks

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/39604/some-causes-of-early-chick-mortality/0_20