Integration and flock groups

[Brooksy21]

Ok so I basically have two flocks. 6 two year olds and 5 sixteen week olds. They are divided most of the time by chicken wire, but sometimes I let them all outside together. Trying to integrate slowly as the littles aren’t laying yet and are still smaller. I notice that for the most part when they are together they avoid each other as much as possible and it’s obvious I have two different groups. Will they ever all be one flock when they are fully integrated or will they always be two separate flocks. What’s been your experience. New to integrating new chicks with a current flock.

 

[WhiteCollarWeezy]

From my experience with chickens...i have noticed a group of my hens like to have escorts around the yard. They are older hens and when the roosters get 2 frisky they run 2 each other and huddle up. Whenever I release my chick's 2 free range they will partner up. The lil1s want nothing 2 do with the older hens. Senority rules I suppose.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sounds normal, the younger birds won't really join the flock until they begin laying anyhow.

 

[Brooksy21]

Sounds normal, the younger birds won't really join the flock until they begin laying anyhow.

Ya I figured it was normal for now, just was wanting to know what to expect in the future. If they will eventually co mingle?

 

[aart]

Ya I figured it was normal for now, just was wanting to know what to expect in the future. If they will eventually co mingle?

As long as the youngers have their own coop and nests, they are likely to stick with the familiar.
Is the main coop and run big enough for all the birds you have?
Has the younger group checked out the main coop and run?

 

[Mrs. K]

They will be two very distinct groups until they begin to lay. Then, one day you will go down, and it will be one group - a very obvious difference. The pullets start laying, and raise up into adult society.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ya I figured it was normal for now, just was wanting to know what to expect in the future. If they will eventually co mingle?

Yes eventually as long as they're all freely allowed to wander the same areas. They may still choose to hang out with the age group more often than not, though easily you'll find exceptions to that.

 

[Brooksy21]

As long as the youngers have their own coop and nests, they are likely to stick with the familiar.
Is the main coop and run big enough for all the birds you have?
Has the younger group checked out the main coop and run?

So the littles space is in the coop with the big girls but they are divided with a wall of chicken wire. The littles have been let into the main coop multiple times and from there have gone into the run. They mingle a little with the big girls but for the most part stick with their brooder mates and run quickly passed the big girls to avoid pecks.

 

[aart]

So the littles space is in the coop with the big girls but they are divided with a wall of chicken wire. The littles have been let into the main coop multiple times and from there have gone into the run. They mingle a little with the big girls but for the most part stick with their brooder mates and run quickly passed the big girls to avoid pecks.

Is there a separate entrance to their part of the coop?
Sounds like it's time to take down that wall.

 

[Brooksy21]

Is there a separate entrance to their part of the coop?
Sounds like it's time to take down that wall.

It’s a permanent wall but I can open the door and let them all come and go as they please inside the coop and run.