free ranging hens and meaties together, but separate coops?

[HeatherAllyce]

We are starting our flock in the spring with 12 layers and 6 guinea hens. We also want to raise possibly two batches of meat birds before the winter. Our winter-proof chicken tractor cannot hold all the hens and 12 meaties as well, so I plan to build a more temporary chicken tractor for them, but also let them free range still. Is this going to be super complicated to have both flocks free ranging and then get them into their separate pens at night? Should I shoot for one big coop to hold all of them instead?

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Hens can be very insistent on where their home is. So if they are used to going in a certain coop they probably won't change if they don't have too.

When I was intergrating some hens a couple of years ago, I moved the adults hens into the bigger coop and moved the chicks into the small coup and run. One of the adult hens was so annoyed at being moved and not being able to sleep in the old coop that she would sleep on top of her old coop instead of the new one!

 

[donrae]

I don't think you'll have a problem. Start them separate, brood them in their respective coops and they'll be very dedicated about going back there to sleep.

 

[HeatherAllyce]

Thanks guys! I'll move ahead with my plan!