Safe to intermingle separate chicken flocks while free-ranging?

[Shugercube]

I’m still working things out in my head, but I’m going to be separating my bantams from my big birds. I plan on building side-by-side so they’ll still see each other, at least while in the runs.

Can two separate flocks like that hang out while they free range? I don’t have a HUGE yard, but I’d like both flocks to have as much range time (and space!) as possible.

I’m separating because my Sebright roo and my RIR roo don’t get along super well (although nothing major has happened- YET), and I’m also a little wary of my full size Roos trying to mate a banty hen and hurting her. I figured separate coops and runs would help.

Keeping them separate for range time would be harder, unless I were to only let one flock out at a time. Which is probably the easiest option, but I’d rather they both get to roam all day long IF it would be safe to do so (risk of predators notwithstanding). Is this doable, or the worst idea ever? Would it completely defeat the purpose of separating them?

I figure the Roos wouldn’t have as much aggression towards each other while they’re free ranging since they have way more space to stay out of each other’s way than when they’re both in the same run. They seem to not bother each other as much during range time right now. But I’m not sure if that would get better or worse if I were to separate them- would it then be like meeting each other for the first time all over again every time they were out roaming together?

Alternatively, I could join both runs with the two coops on opposite ends. Would that possibly help things, as opposed to adding a whole separate space?

Sorry I’m all over the place… just still brainstorming and kinda thinking out loud… I just want to keep my Roos and have everyone happy lol

Thoughts??

 

[JacinLarkwell]

They will likely squabble. After all, they're both new birds to the other, and new birds that want to breed their ladies too

 

[A Swede in France]

Hi! How did you manage in the end? I'm sitting here going through the forum with pretty much exactly the same question!

 

[Shadrach]

Can two separate flocks like that hang out while they free range? I don’t have a HUGE yard, but I’d like both flocks to have as much range time (and space!) as possible

Yes you can seperate two flocks. Chickens are tribal by nature and this is particularly noticable between bantams and full sized chickens.

Keeping them separate for range time would be harder, unless I were to only let one flock out at a time. Which is probably the easiest option, but I’d rather they both get to roam all day long IF it would be safe to do so (risk of predators notwithstanding). Is this doable, or the worst idea ever? Would it completely defeat the purpose of separating them?

Given enough room you will probably find that they stay with their tribe with the roosters occasionally fighting over resources rather than hens.

I figure the Roos wouldn’t have as much aggression towards each other while they’re free ranging since they have way more space to stay out of each other’s way than when they’re both in the same run. They seem to not bother each other as much during range time right now. But I’m not sure if that would get better or worse if I were to separate them- would it then be like meeting each other for the first time all over again every time they were out roaming together?

They will probably still fight but I found it was mostly posturing and rarely serious. As you have noticed, when ranging the aggression between roosters is reduced.

Alternatively, I could join both runs with the two coops on opposite ends. Would that possibly help things, as opposed to adding a whole separate space?

I found keeping the coops and run as far away from each other as possible the best option.