should my 8 wk olds be following my 16 wk olds into the coop?

[Flame80]

My 3 domoniques are 8 weeks old now and have been running free with my 15 week old white leghorns for 2 weeks. They are doing fine and not fighting. Just pecking order. I left the open brooder in the run and at night my older birds climb up the ladder and into the pop door and in the coop and nest area. This area is enclosed. My 3 young birds stay in the brooder on the ground at night but there is a large open door for them to get in and out anytime they want. Should I remove the brooder now to encourage them to go up and roost with the other birds?

 

[Ab1010]

How feathered are they and what is your climate like? It totally depends on that.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

At eight weeks they should be able to go with the others. If they are already used to each other and get along well, you should not separate them.

 

[Flame80]

We're in deep east Texas and it is hot. And yes they are full feathered. Actually don't look a whole lot "smaller" than the leghorns but are just a lot younger.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I would remove the brooder. They're definitely big enough to be sleeping with the older girls.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Remove the brooder or close off access. They'll start to give consideration to following the older girls in once they realize they can't go to where they usually spend the night, though you may need to herd/put them in the first few nights.

 

[aart]

Should I remove the brooder now to encourage them to go up and roost with the other birds?

Yep.
IF there is enough roost space for the youngers.
best to have separate and a bit lower roosts for the newbs.
Older birds may still try to keep them out of the coop and/or off the roosts.

The RoostTimeRumble is the most contentious part of the day.

 

[Flame80]

well I removed the brooder yesterday and just after dark I observed the young birds HAD climed the ladder and were roosting in the doorway of the coop where all the older birds were!! That's a very good start I think. I don't know if the older birds would not let them in or they were just not wanting to go in just yet??

 

[aart]

That's a very good start I think. I don't know if the older birds would not let them in or they were just not wanting to go in just yet??

Yes!
Hard to say.
Best way to find out is sit out there and watch if you can.
Have the littles ever spent any time in the coop?

 

[Flame80]

No. No time in coop at all. Last night right after dark I saw them sitting in the doorway with my flashlight and was excited to see that. So I quickly left them alone so they would adapt on their own. Maybe I can try to watch them a little closer tonight.