How best to interstate two small groups of chickens

[Sue Gilfoy]

I have been raising three groups of chicks. Started with 7 that are now 4 months old, second group of 6 are now 2 months old. Babies (6weeks still in garage nursery).
When I first brought second group out into yard I did it gradually, a few hours in mid afternoon, then half a day for a few days and finally all day. They get along pretty well but the older girls occasionally gang up on the younger ones and the older hens always try to take over the food pan of the youngest. I have been feeding them separately so youngers can at least get their morning meal alone in my second small coop, then letting them out for the day.
It is time, after three weeks of this slow intergrating to get second group into the big coop at night. How best to do this without the older hens trying to attack the younger group(still about half their size )? Suggestions welcome.

 

[esme13]

They may take to them right away, being a bit smaller or they may peck at them. But if there’s a huge size difference than keep the youngest group away until they get a little bigger. The older chicks likely have been establishing their pecking order. So it is normal for them to size them up and let them know their pace. You just need to keep an eye on them when introducing and see how it goes. I have times where my hens pick on the chicks and I have times where my older hens don’t bother with the older chicks.

 

[aart]

OhBoy, 3 age groups...BTDT.... can be tricky!

It is time, after three weeks of this slow intergrating to get second group into the big coop at night. How best to do this without the older hens trying to attack the younger group(still about half their size )? Suggestions welcome.

How big is your coop, in feet by feet?
Do you have a run too?
Maybe you can split of some sections of coop and run?
Best if you can have them live 24/7 in separate but adjacent enclosures for a couple-few weeks...the allow them to mingle.

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/