Integration Time

[Sheddelio]

I was given a link to a great article here on BYC on the topic of flock integration. I also have been given the same advice from other chicken owners about waiting til my younger chicks are about the same sized as the older chicks. My question is when does that actually happen? When they are all full grown? I do not have the space in my backyard to keep them apart for that long. I made a short video showing the size difference between the birds. If this is something you have done before and or know how it goes PLEASE take some time to watch and give me some feedback. I am a little nervous about putting them together.
Thanks Y'All

 

[FowlmouthChick]

Sheddelio,

Adorable flock you have there! When I started integrating my little chicks with the older girls they were roughly 4 weeks and 8 weeks old respectively. First we let them free range together to get used to each other. We found the two groups stayed apart and didn't want anything to do with each other. Next we tried putting the younger ladies in the coop after the big girls had gone to sleep with the theory that the older ladies would be more accepting if they woke up and the new girls were just magically there. We had pretty good success with that method. The older ladies still kept to themselves in the coop. They took the high roost and the little girls stayed low for a week or so.

There was a bit of "establishing their pecking order" when out in the run but it was not terribly aggressive and lasted only a short time.

Now all the ladies roost together and run together when they free range. Its nice to see they have adapted to each other quite well.

My flock consists of three buff orphingtons, two domiques and one bard rock. I'm not sure if the breed has anything to do with how well they get along but the Buffs seem like the most laid back chickens.

Good luck getting your flock all together and I hope it goes smoothly!

 

[Sheddelio]

That is the ages of my birds now.
How long did the process take? I have been putting them next to each other but no touching, for over a week. I am a little apprehensive about the next step. Also, my yard is not conducive to free ranging.
Thanks for replying.