Combining flocks, moving younger chicks to the coop

OlivesMama

Chirping
6 Years
Mar 28, 2013
153
10
83
Oregon
I have a mixed age/breed flock. Yes, I made the new chicken keeper's mistake of buying chicks nearly every time I went to the feed
I couldn't help it! The more I learned about them, the more breeds I just HAD to have. So, here is my problem-

Flock #1-
5 chickens total
Olive- 6 mo old Silkie pullet and head hen
3 Barred Rocks- hatched March 13th
a Sultan- hatched around March 13th

Despite the age difference, I combined them all in a brooder from day one with no issues. Olive made a great broody mama to the little chicks.

Flock #2-
5 chickens total
2 Golden Laced Wyandottes- hatched on March 28th
Buff Orpington & California Gray- hatched April 11th

I tried to put the Wyandottes with Flock #1 and had to pull them and put them in a separate brooder. I had another chick, a cuckoo Marans, and she died. The Buff Orpington and California Gray were replacements for her. I'm great at Chicken Math already!
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The Orpington and California Gray went in with the Wyandottes with no issues. I managed 2 separate brooders until Flock #1 went out to the coop 2 weeks ago.

This past weekend, I decided I was done with brooders and moved Flock #2 into the chicken wired off nesting boxes. They have a heat lamp and have been doing fine. Both flocks can see each other through the chicken wire, but not cause any damage. They all huddle under the heat lamp, even the older flock. I let them all out during the day in a good-sized fenced yard with minimal issues. Flock #2 hides from Flock #1 occasionally and sometimes the Barred Rocks chase the babies, but nothing that gets out of hand. I put separate food and water dishes out for each flock and this works. (are you still reading all of this? THANK YOU!)

How am I going to combine both distinct flocks? I learned about the separate pen for the new flock, so they can see each other, but remain safe. The smallest in Flock #2 is the California Gray. She's got most of her feathers, but is still very small compared to the Orpington hatched on the same day. Will I need to wait until she's a lot bigger to make this work? The bigger girls in her flock protect her and she sometimes huddles under them. I think she'll continue to get picked on until she's a lot bigger. I'm half tempted to put her and the Orpington back into a brooder, and move the 3 bigger girls into the coop with Flock #1...but then I'll have 3 flocks to combine! ARGH.

I wouldn't stagger them again like this, it's a royal pain! Advice please, from experienced chicken keepers?

p.s. To add to all of the "flock drama," one of the Barred Rocks is a rooster! He's starting to get aggressive and picks on everyone, even the bigger girls. I'm working on rehoming him.
 
It sounds as if it is going well. No one is being pecked to death. Chasing others around is what they do, to reinforce their dominance at that age. It she hasn't been injured, putting the California Grey back away from the rest will only set the integration back. I would at this point be thinking about removing the separation soon if no one has be injured and they all can use the feeders and waterers without issue.
 
Update: They are still all able to stay in the same yard during the day with no major issues. They get chased by the rooster sometimes, but nothing more than that. They stay completely separate and don't eat or feed together. Flock#2 waits for the other to eat and drink, then they come in for their turn.

At night, they all huddle next to each other between the chicken wire barrier. I tried to remove it a few nights ago, but they got pecked, so I put it back. They seem to only have issues in the coop and remain 2 very separate flocks.
 
I am so glad to see this! I have two flocks too! I am going to take the plunge and put them in the coop at night this weekend. I will section some off for a couple weeks them cross my fingers. They do awesome during the day in the run so I am hopeful. They have been raised side by side so it shouldn't be to bad but MAN I wish I had not do two rounds. It really is a pain in the neck!!!
 
I just had to laugh at your name, Rookiefarmers! I just told my husband today I made a "rookie mistake" in chicken keeping by staggering my flock like I did. I told him to remind me of how hard it's been combining them when I start to ohhh and ahhh over the chicks at the feed store.
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Major update! Flock #2 put themselves up in the coop this evening, so I shut the doors and left them in there to get settled. I put the big girls in with them, hoping to quell any fighting since the babies were already in there and flock #1 would be invading their territory. IT WORKED! There was very minimal pecking, then they each settled down into 2 piles. After listening closely for any signs of distress and checking 100 times, they were ALL huddled together in a pile!
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Wait, what? I'm a little nervous that they'll fight in the morning when everyone wakes up, but I think I did it!
 
There is hope!!! I am going to rig up a divider and let them stay together during the day, then after a week nor two try to let them be together at night too. Pray for my tiny girls!
 
There is! I was so worried about how they would combine, but really I think they were ready. Good luck to you! Come back and update me so I can see how it goes for you.
 
I'm actually headed to a farmer/flea market later this morning to add one or two birds to my flock of eight (3 leghorns, 3 red sex links, 2 barred rocks). I'm rehoming my Ameraucana rooster, George who just started crowing. I can't sleep I'm so excited to meet some new girls that I woke up at 4:15 on a Saturday. It's like Christmas! I was thinking about getting an Ameraucana hen since I had one original and she died--really want the blue eggs and George will be no help in that department. Any thoughts in adding some Banties just for fun and flock variety?
 
Lol! You are such a chicken farmer. We can never say no! :) I will keep you posted. The big girls completely freaked out when we put them in last night, and went charging at the chicken wire trying to get the littles for about 20 minutes... then I came out like every 30 minutes until well after dart and they were all roosted on their respective roosts, some of the them were sleeping happily in piles. Phew. I think it will work after a week or two.
Keep me updated on your purchases! :)
Oh and we have a couple bantams in our crazy mixed flock and they don't know the difference. :)
 
Thanks rookiefarmers! We ended up getting another Ameraucana (because I'm crazy apparently) and a bantam Buff Brahmin. She is gorgeous as is the Am. So far the two have not mingled with our main flock and our old girls actually act more intimidated than I expected. Hopefully things get cheery soon. They were all roosted together tonight so that's a positive sign!
 

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