Integrating different age groups

[scandiafowl]

Good morning everyone!

My first group, different breeds, hatched on 08 May.

The Jersey Giants on 12 June.

When is it safe to put them together? They share a coop and separate fenced area. Zeus ( Copper Marans rooster, the boss, chief, head honcho, five months old)is mighty interested but neither seems stressed by other.

 

[mymilliefleur]

Have they been able to interact with each other for some time? If so than I would put them together and see what happens. If the older ones are being especially aggressive, than separate them again.
At this age they haven't really developed a pecking order, so integration is easier.

Also, how many birds in each group?

Edit: I have no idea why my glitchy computer posted this twice.

 

[mymilliefleur]

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[scandiafowl]

Have they been able to interact with each other for some time? If so than I would put them together and see what happens. If the older ones are being especially aggressive, than separate them again.
At this age they haven't really developed a pecking order, so integration is easier. 

Also, how many birds in each group?

Edit: I have no idea why my glitchy computer posted this twice.

There are 19 in the younger group and 14 in the older group, during the day they are outside, separated by a fence. At night they are in the coop. I took the brooder, cut a hole in the side and pushed it up against the inside wall of the coop where there is a hole to the outside.

 

[mymilliefleur]

There are 19 in the younger group and 14 in the older group, during the day they are outside, separated by a fence. At night they are in the coop. I took the brooder, cut a hole in the side and pushed it up against the inside wall of the coop where there is a hole to the outside.

If they've interacted for a while and gotten a good chance to check each other out, they should get along just fine. In my experience it is easier to combine larger groups vs just a couple of birds. That way the new comers tend not to get as much notice. Good luck with your flock.

 

[scandiafowl]

Thanks, I've started giving them set times together. So far, my rooster has managed well. Very little interaction, probably because they have so much room to get away from one another.