Getting young bantams accepted into the older flock

[amamaofmany]

I had to get the 4.5 week bantams out into the coop with the nearly 9 week standard pullets. My husband put up a large dog crate with small chicken wire around it to keep the little 'uns and the big 'uns separated for now. They were getting very close to flying out of the brooder box in the kitchen & we have idiot dogs that would eat them.

The big pullets can see the little ones but not get at them, and I hope they'll get used to them so we can have them as one flock. Some of those bantams are so TINY compared to the bigger ones!

How long do you think I should keep them apart?

Any advice on getting the big ones to accept the little ones as part of their flock - or will this just happen as they get used to seeing each other?

 

[peepinglaura]

We have quite a mix of ages and sizes in our coop. We have had 2 keys 2 success:

1) Introduce the new flock members at night and in dark or near dark, when the chicks are sleepy. They accept each other well under these circumstances, and seem to feel if they wake up together, they're family.

2) Keep two feeders and waterers for a while. Minor fights seemed to erupt if the new interlopers had to eat out of the same feeder. Some chickens seemed to find that rather audacious and give the new guys a peck or two. Two feeders seemed to help the old timers think thay were getting something out of the deal.

Laura

 

[amamaofmany]

Laura,

So, would you think that tomorrow evening I could lift the dog crate off the little ones and let them mingle? They'll have had two days to see each other.

I had thought to keep the two feeders/waterers for a few weeks simply because the feeder & waterer for the older ones are raised to the level of the standards' backs and the littlest OEGBs couldn't reach that very easily!

I really appreciate your advice! Thanks!