New chickens won't mix with old ones

[SueT]

or should I just carry them in when they're all asleep)

Yes, this.

The newbies are almost at egg laying stage I think

How many nest boxes are there? They may need their own. A simple solution is a plastic milk crate--my hens seem to all love plastic milk crates, and have abandoned the older nests for these, so I added a couple more more crates.

 

[wyandotte102]

Does your chicken coop have a run? If so, the big chickens can get locked up in the roost part and the newbies could sleep in the run (or the other way around). If you don’t, then splitting the roost like they said is probably the best thing to do.

 

[Chickassan]

Hi! I know it seems like forever but your two groups have known each other for a split second in the grand scheme of things.
Your new girls aren't laying quite yet either so that adds another line of seperation.
The solution is just time, they'll get together in one group but only they know when.
Hang in there, this is the rough patch "at least for you, the keeper" in the process of adding to your flock.
It gets much easier once everyone is laying and are actually considered assets in the flock, right now they're food eating freeloaders to your old girls.

 

[LaurenHChickens]

Yes, this.

How many nest boxes are there? They may need their own. A simple solution is a plastic milk crate--my hens seem to all love plastic milk crates, and have abandoned the older nests for these, so I added a couple more more crates.

OK, thanks- are the milk crates on the floor or do you have them on a higher shelf?

 

[LaurenHChickens]

Does your chicken coop have a run? If so, the big chickens can get locked up in the roost part and the newbies could sleep in the run (or the other way around). If you don’t, then splitting the roost like they said is probably the best thing to do.

This would work OK for a little while but the winters get cold here so couldn't leave them outside the whole time (if you mean that?!). The chicken house is a big shed type building with roosts and nest boxes inside.

 

[LaurenHChickens]

Hi! I know it seems like forever but your two groups have known each other for a split second in the grand scheme of things.
Your new girls aren't laying quite yet either so that adds another line of seperation.
The solution is just time, they'll get together in one group but only they know when.
Hang in there, this is the rough patch "at least for you, the keeper" in the process of adding to your flock.
It gets much easier once everyone is laying and are actually considered assets in the flock, right now they're food eating freeloaders to your old girls.

Haha yes I hadn't thought of it like that! I think as Sue mentioned it may be a good idea to add lots of feeders/waterers so noone feels under pressure!

 

[wyandotte102]

This would work OK for a little while but the winters get cold here so couldn't leave them outside the whole time (if you mean that?!). The chicken house is a big shed type building with roosts and nest boxes inside.

Ok I live in Florida so I did not take winters into account. Give them time and they will learn to live with each other.

 

[aart]

Hi! I know it seems like forever but your two groups have known each other for a split second in the grand scheme of things.
Your new girls aren't laying quite yet either so that adds another line of seperation.
The solution is just time, they'll get together in one group but only they know when.
Hang in there, this is the rough patch "at least for you, the keeper" in the process of adding to your flock.
It gets much easier once everyone is laying and are actually considered assets in the flock, right now they're food eating freeloaders to your old girls.

This!!^^^^
Don't rush it, it'll happen.