Mixing my chickens

[Cmrgn1011]

So my coop isn't finish yet but I have all my chickens together. The 12 week Olds are loose in the coop and my 4 to 8 week Olds are in a pen inside the coop.

The older chickens chase them back in the pen anytime I let them out or pecks at them when they go into the pen with them, when I have the gate open.

Tonight I put the older chickens into the pen so the small ones could get use to the whole coop.

Question..
Should I let them all loose and let them figure out the pecking order?
it doesnt seem like the older ones are going to leave them alone like I want them too. 1 of them I swear chases them pecks at them and walks away laughing.

I went to go change them back and the big guys are sleeping in the pen on the roost bars and the little ones a huddled in a corner just outside the pen next to the roost bars. Idk if the picture is to dark.

Question2. I don't want 4 roosters. Which should I think about getting rid of based common temperament. They all pick on the smaller chicks.
A. Production blue
B. Silver phoenix x2
C. Golden phoenix

 

[DobieLover]

Do you have a secure run? That is where the majority of the integration should occur. A much larger area with lots of things in it for distraction and hiding.
You've got 3 clear cockerels, all the phoenix birds pictured. I would separate these three from the flock now before they start in on the pullets and make the situation even worse.

 

[Cmrgn1011]

Do you have a secure run? That is where the majority of the integration should occur. A much larger area with lots of things in it for distraction and hiding.
You've got 3 clear cockerels, all the phoenix birds pictured. I would separate these three from the flock now before they start in on the pullets and make the situation even worse.

Yes my coop is all enclosed. Pictures are of it not finished. It is 9×18. The pen we made inside for the smaller guys. I just haven't built the house part yet. We are working on that. My hubby built a house for them instead of a coop. Lol Took way longer than expected. What type of stuff should we put in for hiding and distraction areas?

You don't think the production blue is a cockerel? I had someone tell me it was.

 

[DobieLover]

You don't think the production blue is a cockerel? I had someone tell me it was.

Could be but the others already have male specific feathering and the blue does not. The large red comb is not the tell at this age.

What type of stuff should we put in for hiding and distraction areas?

Install branches for more roost options. I like to find branches about the size of my forearm. Wood stumps of varying sizes and heights, old wood stools and/or chairs, a pallet leaning against a wall. You unfortunately are using sand as litter. I much prefer wood chips. The birds love digging around in it and getting to the soil beneath for critter hunting and dust bathing.

 

[Cmrgn1011]

Could be but the others already have male specific feathering and the blue does not. The large red comb is not the tell at this age.


Install branches for more roost options. I like to find branches about the size of my forearm. Wood stumps of varying sizes and heights, old wood stools and/or chairs, a pallet leaning against a wall. You unfortunately are using sand as litter. I much prefer wood chips. The birds love digging around in it and getting to the soil beneath for critter hunting and dust bathing.
View attachment 3848342

I would love for the production blue not to be a rooster..lol
I was thinking about putting something on top of the sand to help keep the smell down. I was hoping the sand would be faster clean up but when I wash down the stuff inside I think the smell sits in the sand..
How do you like your pvc feeders I see back there? We were thinking of doing something similar.

 

[DobieLover]

How do you like your pvc feeders I see back there?

Love it. It gives tons of space on both sides for the birds to eat with minimal bickering.