Integration problems

[Ridgerunner]

7 who are 16 weeks old with my younger flock of 5 who are now 10 weeks old

7 + 5 = 12

It is standard in my flock that less mature chickens avoid more mature chickens until they are all mature. If they younger invade the personal space of the older they are likely to get pecked. It usually does not take them long to learn to avoid the older.

They all go in to coop at night, but the younger ones wait about 10 minutes after the big girls are in.

Sounds about right. Give the older ones a chance to settle down without attacking them.

In the last few weeks, I've noticed my alpha brahma constantly chases the younger ones into coop during day and won't let them out. Last night we had a bad storm and she chased them and wouldn't let them inside coop, so several got locked out. I had to go put them all in.

This is a little different. Usually it is not an issue as long as the younger keep their distance. But occasionally you can get one that is a bully.

Is there a possibility they are never going to integrate? Im thinking about removing the Brahma from the flock

Typically once they all mature they integrate. You are dealing with living animals so you don't get guarantees, but about the time the younger start laying eggs they are accepted into the pecking order. Until then, mine typically form a separate flock.

Coop is 6x8 with two regular roosting bars on opposite sides, and smaller ladder with three bars. The run is 10x16 so should be plenty of space for 12 birds. I cannot free range because property butts up to neighbor who has dogs. We are in the country so tall fences are out of the question

You meet the minimum magic numbers often recommended on this forum for a fully integrated flock where they are all the same level of maturity. Integration often takes a lot more room. That's because the younger often need to form a separate flock to avoid the older. They need extra room for that.

All in all it sounds like you are not doing badly at all, it could be a lot worse. Locking up that one aggressive chicken away from the flock temporarily to knock her down in the pecking order might help, it often does. You may still have issues, you don't get guarantees with living animals. That would be my next step.

Good luck!

 

[Bsmac]

Our flock consists of 4 different age groups from 2.5 yo hens to year old hens and just at point of lay pullets for a total of 23 birds. They really get along pretty well overall. Our run is 10 x 36. A great integration is possible! Like I and Ridgerunner said put her in jail see no touch for a while and see how it goes then. Again good luck!