Flock integration today

[mldlm]

I have begun the process of integrating my 13 week olds (2 of them) with my 23 week olds (4 of them) just today. Here’s my question: what do I do about tonight? Do I separate them at night or put them in and hope for the best? I could really use some guidance since this will be the first night (8/24/22). Thanks!

 

[WIchickMama]

I would separate them, but that is just me. I think until they are full integrated there could be some rough housing at roosting time that might get better as they get used to each other

 

[Ridgerunner]

What have you done so far? Is today the first day they've seen each other? How have they reacted to each other?

What do your facilities look like? Mostly that question is about size but a photo to see how the coop and run go together and a shot inside the coop could help.

 

[mldlm]

What have you done so far? Is today the first day they've seen each other? How have they reacted to each other?

What do your facilities look like? Mostly that question is about size but a photo to see how the coop and run go together and a shot inside the coop could help.

They have been in their own separate section of the run and coop, separated by chicken wire for about a month now. Today they have intermingled all day. The young ones have gotten a few pecks along the way, but nothing too hostile. My biggest concern is tonight. I have taken the door off the inside section of the young ones “cage” , so they will be face to face all night. I am hoping it goes well. Pics are attached Of the inside coop and the outside run. Thanks for your input.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Wondering how it went. I should have answered late yesterday but life got in the way. The run looks decent sized, not surprised it went fairly well out there. And that walk-in coop looks nice too, I was concerned you had one of those tiny elevated coops. I have hopes it went well.

 

[mldlm]

Wondering how it went. I should have answered late yesterday but life got in the way. The run looks decent sized, not surprised it went fairly well out there. And that walk-in coop looks nice too, I was concerned you had one of those tiny elevated coops. I have hopes it went well.

It went well. Got out there about 6:30 and everyone was still on their roosts. The big girls slept on the roosts in the pics, while the younger ones slept on their roost in the section they are used to. We took the door off the divided part so there is access at all times. Now, we are just waiting for the young ones to really integrate. I know this part takes time, but right now, they mostly stay in the coop and wander around in there. Once the big girls come in, they head for their “section”. The big girls will go in there also, sometimes giving them a peck. We are going to give it about a four or five day period and then take down the separation wire in the coop. We will leave the roost for the young ones. Does this sound about right?

 

[3KillerBs]

Now, we are just waiting for the young ones to really integrate.

They'll probably hang with their peers until they're all laying.

If you look at the photos I took last night you'll see my well-integrated birds all lined up by age group (though I did put the littlest ones on their perch so they'd get out of the nests). https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/1-19-6-5-9-7.1545203/

 

[Ridgerunner]

It sounds good. Sometimes it happens sooner but usually mine don't fully integrate until the young ones start to lay. Then they will. As long as no one is getting hurt I consider it a huge win.