Integrating 2 flocks

[rod5591]

I have 22 pullets, which are now 6-7 weeks old. I bought the chicks from 2 different sources, but they are all the same age within a week. Because of space, I raised them in 2 brooders--they were side by side and the chicks may have heard each other but they never mingled.

Here is the breakdown of the 2 flocks:

Flock 1 - 4 Rhode Island Red and 4 Plymouth Barred Rocks 8 - 8 birds purchased as chicks from the local Farmers Coop, supposedly all hens

Flock 2 - All chicks were purchased from a local farmer who bred and hatched them in incubators. There are 8 Delawares, not sexed, 4 Black Sex Links females (Cross of Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Barred Rocks) and 4 Red Sex Link females (Cross of Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Barred Rocks I think)

Two weeks ago I moved them outdoors, each flock into a separate small coop. Flock 2 was allowed to free range for 4 days. Flock 1 was in another section with dogs, so they stayed in their coop.

A fencing project was completed yesterday. I pulled the Flock 1 coop into the fenced section of Flock 2, right beside the flock 2 coop. I want to integrate the two flocks, but there are still 2 coops needed because of the small size. See Photo.

I want to open the doors of the Flock 1 coop and let them free range. They would be mingling for the first time with the Flock 2 birds.

Will 2 coops in the same fenced section work? Will the birds stay with the coop they are used to or will some chickens switch coops? How long should I leave Flock 1 birds in their coop before releasing them to free range?

The chickens from Flock 2 have come close to the Flock 1 coop to free range nearby and "look in" on the new chickens, and many seem to be hanging out nearby.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Personally I'd let them all go now and see what happens.
I've never been one to baby them or drag out integration with no touch etc. methods.
As for what will happen with the coops and who goes where that's up to you or them. At night you can lock them up anyway you want or let them decide where they want to go.
I don't think its going to matter because before long you're going to be lacking coop space in a bad way.
Seems like way to many chickens for those coops.

 

[rod5591]

Personally I'd let them all go now and see what happens.
I don't think its going to matter because before long you're going to be lacking coop space in a bad way.
Seems like way to many chickens for those coops.

yes, a new coop is in the works

 

[rod5591]

It went pretty well. The flock of 8 seemed to take over the coop of the other 14 for a while, until they ate all of the food that was there while the flock of 14 were out searching in the yard. Later I lured the flock of 8 back to their own coop with a feeder full of food. No blood was spilled although there was some chickens chasing others around. They are funny and interesting to watch.

 

[rod5591]

Interesting that now, several days after the flock integration, two chickens from the smaller flock have joined the 14 chickens in their coop. So now, 16 chickens are in one coop, while 6 chickens are in the other.