Mixing 2 groups of hens together - HELP!!

[sms1225]

I have 25 1 year old RIR's & SLW's hens & 1 SLW rooster. I also have 25, 4 month old RIR's & Blk Austrolops, with 2 roosters. I have 2 identical coops with one large shared run that I have divided in half with see thru wire, so they can get use to each other. My chickens are free range. I haven't let the younger ones out yet out of the run all day, only for a few hours in the evening, and after I have put up the older flock for the night. I have not physically mixed the 2 groups yet.

My questions is , When I remove the dividing fence in the run, will the 2 groups of chickens go to their respective coop at night, or will they intermingle into each other's coop to roost at night and lay their eggs?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[faykokoWV]

I'm not an expert, but chickens seem to be creatures of habit. I would guess they would be inclined to return to their own coops.

On the other hand, I have a few that seem to follow who ever is in front. I would think a few might switch coops.

It may also depend on who's "hooking up" with which rooster. If a rooster gets a girlfriend from the other side... who knows?

Would there be a problem if they did? should be fun to watch and see what happens.