Integration happening

[Creteloc]

That's supposed to be "Integration NOT happening"

I have two flocks. My EE and RiR are 8 months old and free range the backyard. I have 4 Sussex (4 months old) than I've just moved into a new coop in the backyard that is attached to a new run. I 'thought' with the Sussex in the run and the older chicks in the yard, they would slowly get used to each other so I could put them together eventually.

However, they ignore each other. The two free-rangers won't even look into the run and have paid no attention to the Sussex. I thought they were supposed to get to know each other that way so I could eventually put them all together. Apparently, I'm wrong.

I can't split the run because it's got an activity center in the middle of it. If I put the Sussex out to free range then the EE full on attacks and tries to kill the Sussex (blood and all). Any ideas how to make this integration happen? I want to get them all together in the new 8x8 coop and run.

 

[EquiSally]

I have 18 chickens from 5 different groups that I have integrated sporadically through the last couple years, that now all reside happily together. It takes time and patience.
I had the best luck with an extra large dog crate (the thick coated wire kind that you can see through from all angles) being placed in my main coop with the new birds in it (so they can all see and are forced to get very close to but cannot really grab) for two to three weeks.
The last addition was 3 rather dominant adult hens (1-year-olds from my sister-in-law) added to my flock of 1 rooster and 14 hens.
After one week, I let them out with me in the coop/run and the new girls instantly started bloody fights with my older ladies. They got put right back in the kennel.
Tried again at week two, 3 minutes of peace then fighting resumed - they went back in the kennel.
Tried again on weekend number three... peace for about 5 minutes- a little postureing, some pecks here and there, but then they started ducking away from my older girls and relative peace insued. They had very few minor squabbles, mostly stayed to themselves that first week out of the kennel, then like magic they formed a new pecking order and all have new friends.
It took time, patience, & diligence maintaining those annoying smaller separate feeders and waterers until they figured it out.

 

[Creteloc]

I'm going to have to figure out how to get that activity center out of the run. There's no room for that kind of thing in there atm. Thanks for the idea.

 

[aart]

Have you tried putting the 4 Sussex out to range and leaving the 2(?) others in the run?
Pics of run?
Where do they all sleep at night?

I have 4 Sussex (4 months old) than I've just moved into a new coop in the backyard that is attached to a new run.

When did this move take place?

 

[sourland]

Try removing the EE or penning her up and allowing the Sussex and RIR to integrate. This may take a significant period of time - not hours. Then try allowing the EE to rejoin the flock. At that time there will be some squabbling, but hopefully the younger birds will better protect themselves.