Free ranging integration question

[Peppercorngal]

My main flock was killed by bears last October. I had two hens left. They are/were living in run and coop#2. I bought 26 new chicks in January and put them in coop #1. After a few weeks I would free range the new kids by themselves (the old girls too, but at different times). As the time rolled on I started to let them all free range together. Because of the large space they did ok together. I have one old hen that is nasty and would chase all the new chicks. After free ranging them together for 2 weeks I found that one of the old hens would go into coop #1 to roost in the evening, and she is the nasty one! So it looks like they have made peace and integrated nicely. The 2nd old hen still returns to coop #2, but that's ok. I think pretty soon she will be with the others! I like the free range method to integrate because it gives the chickens room to run and get away. Eventually they work out the pecking order and everyone gets along.

 

[jp57]

I ended up closing the older girls in the coop Saturday night. Sunday morning, I let the younger ones out in the enclosure. I then opened the coop and let the older ones out. They were together for a couple of hours with no issue. I opened the enclosure and the older girls came out, but the younger ones stayed in. I picked them up and put them inside the coop and they hung out for a while. They left the coop but stayed in the enclosure. When I closed them in at night, the older girls went into the coop and the younger ones stayed on a roosting bar right outside the door to the coop. Yesterday I let everyone out together. The younger ones kept close to each other, but hung out with the older girls. They didn't seem to have any issues at all. Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Ain't it nice when all the chickens get along?!!

 

[RWise]

Gotta luv it!
My last hatch went like this, from bator to a box with a heat lamp for 5 days. Then to the brood house (in the pasture so the flock can visit) with chick wire surround, and door with 2x4 wire, and a solid door. The chicks stayed inside for some time, but ventured out. Oh ya, the hens found them before I had them under the heat. There they eat many bugs, and grew nicely. The heat was on until they were feathered out (and the temps outside went up)
They stayed in this coop/brood house until 5 weeks old, why 5 weeks, cats! (and they were all roosting) Just before the move I put an area just outside the main coop with 3x3 wire to set the chicks feed in (covered). And their water tank so they can see it until they find the main source. The girls can try but not reach the food, also a safe area. At night (it easier for me) I put them in a cage and moved them to the main coop, with the big birds, and lock it up.
First thing in the morning I let them out and watch. Now they already know each other, but my oldest girl (going on 8YO) walks over to one thats eating something, it did not move off and she pecked it, it moved away. She then went to another and the same thing. Now she walks toward another and they all scatter, they now know who the boss is. The rooster was watching her, and is holding his head high, he is so proud, but these are not his (next batch).
First night they did not go in until it was dark, and I helped them in (this batch I can walk up to and pick them up). Second night I go out expecting to help them in again, they were all on the roost, many on the top (8') with the big birds. They must have taken a clue from the older birds. They are ranging further ever day, have found the water source (a leaky pipe with a pan to catch it) and which girls to stay clear of, all is good and another batch is cooking.