Combining Younger to Older Birds

[Forever Green]

I have 6 mutts (5 roos, 1 hen) about 3 months old. I then bought 6 more chicks 5 weeks ago (2 Jersey Giants, 4 EEs, all bought as hens but think i have 1 roo). The 5 week old pure-breed birds are not as social as my mutts were. I'm working hard with them, but they are very anxious and squeeling when you interact with them. I finally have them hand feeding from me, but comfortably handling them is a way off yet.

I'm really worried about combining these 2 groups. Especially with my mutts being mostly roos and my younger birds being mostly hens.

At what point can I combine my younger birds with my older birds? I'm terrified about the older/bigger birds hurting or attacking the smaller birds. Any advise for me?

 

[cmom]

Wait until they are all nearly the same size. I integrated mine while free ranging. Every day for about a week I would let the pullets out into the yard first and let them spend about an hour before I let the hens out. The hens did chase them some but I put plenty of treats out to distract them. I spread the treats out too. They will have to establish their pecking order.

 

[Forever Green]

I think i made a mistake today. I'm anxious for my 2 flocks to get along and so I can get my younger birds into the coop with my older birds. I let my 4 month old birds out first this morning as I usually do. I opened the door when I have my younger birds, cleaned their area and by late day they jumped out of my mud room (their temporary home). They were so cute as they explored. All of a sudden my older birds come from the front of my house to the back where I was with my younger birds and my older roos went ballistic, crowing, squalking, chasing my younger birds. All but one ran back into my mud room. My favorite baby, Cleo (Ameraucana), ran into my garage and jumped into an empty bucket on the shelf to get away from my older birds.

Is there still hope to get these 2 groups integrated, maybe jumped the gun today. Maybe I need to wait until my younger birds are the same size. I'm really worried about how to get these 2 groups to be happy. Any suggestions?