Moving to a new farm and don't know what to do!

[Utopianite]

So, right now we're in a smaller place. We have 8 younger egg-layers, all full-sized that get along well and stay in an enclosed, sand-filled chicken coop. Then we have a second set of mixed bantams (lots of silkies, a few Cochins,) and some full sized polish, a lakenvelder, both sizes of Brahma's, and a couple of wyandettes. They all get along for the most part.

When we move we'll have two different enclosed chicken coops/runs, and a big field and barn. Which chickens can I let free-range together, and who needs to be enclosed? And can I mix the two groups at all?

 

[jvls1942]

if they all are freeranging, you can mix them.
they will each go their separate ways.
I would expect at least one of them will find a good hiding place in the barn.
watch out for owls in a barn.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Chickens were originally wild birds and they know how to take care of themselves. If you're comfortable with free ranging and it's something you're able to do I say do it. Bare in mind though you may occasionally loose a bird or two to predators. If you have a barn at the new farm I'd house them all in the barn and if you notice certain birds are being treated very poorly by the other you can put them in a different house. But I doubt that will be a problem.

 

[chickens really]

When you first move keep each flock in the places you want them to be..They will need to be trained to think of that new place as home...10 days usually is enough time..Being that place is all new to them fights should be to a minimum ....