Introduction of Different Flocks

[swiggity_swarren]

Hey y'all!

I'm in a bit of a chicken math pickle. I incubated and hatched four chicks from some barnyard eggs I received from a friend. They are two weeks old to the day today.
Additionally, I ordered a dozen online chicks to ensure that if anything mortal happened to some of my hatchlings, those left behind would have company and not get depressed.
However, the hatchery did not send the chicks until late last night, so my flocks will be around two weeks apart.
Does anyone have any wisdom on how I could introduce the two flocks at different ages with the least amount of conflict? I have a bigger brooder (40"×40"×20") that I could section in half or just put them all in there and watch for pecking, but I could also do a Costco tub special if the flocks should be separated for a little bit.

Thank you in advance for the chicken wisdom!

 

[FunClucks]

Once the younger chicks are about 2 weeks old, you can put them all in together - this is to be sure the younger ones are physically strong enough to manage interacting with the older chicks, if they get stepped on or something. The 4 older ones will be fine with it. Just put them into the flock as one large group. The older chicks should bond to the younger ones fine.

I had this happen recently, except mine came from the feed store. I thought the older chicks were only 2 weeks older than the young ones, but later I realized they were 3 or more weeks older. I had them altogether but separated them for a week when an older chick hurt its leg and needed a quieter brooder. Then I put them all back together after the young ones were at least 2 weeks old, and it worked out fine when I put them all outside at once once the younger ones were 6 weeks old (fully feathered).

 

[kattabelly]

I'd put them in together as soon as the smaller ones are eating and drinking well and can move fast enough to run away if they're getting pecked. Last time I did this, that was four days old with almost four-week-olds. To start with, set up some kind of divider or internal space that only the smaller chicks can access and make sure they know how to get in and out. Put food and water in both areas to start with. Remove the divider once they're all getting along together most of the time but make sure there's still more than one food and water point, and plenty of clutter to keep them occupied and not always in sight of the others (careful to avoid dead ends or places they could get stuck).