Merging Adult Chickens with Younger Chickens,,, in the coop

[Bruv]

Hello! So I have a small flock of 3 chickens that are 2 months old, and one is 2 weeks older than them. We have a coop with our 5 fully adult 1 year old chickens ( and one had 4 babies ) and we are trying to get the small flock to start going there when it gets dark n to perch with the rest but they are scared of some of the older ones, as they peck them. So when it gets dark they sleep somewhere else in a tree, its alot of work to find them and put them in there. Is there any way we can teach them to go in by themselves or are they too old to understand? Or will the fear diminish as they grow older and are no longer afraid? because they HAVE to learn to sleep in that home. Any suggestions are great- thank you!!

 

[ChickNanny13]

You could try teaching the younger ones to come with a shake of a container of treats/feed. Once you get them to respond to the shaking of the container, then collect them in the coop and close the door. Or use a wire cage for the younger ones, put the cage in the coop at night. Two months old is still young that the adult hens would intimidate them & could hurt them. Once the younger ones get bigger in size, they'll hold their own. You could also make hiding spots so the younger ones can get away from the older ones.

What are the dimensions of the coop?

 

[aart]

First, is the coop big enough for all the birds?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.
So the 2mo birds have just been living outside with no shelter?
Getting them into a coop with a broody and chicks might make integration difficult.
Do you have a run?

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/