When is it TOO late to combine flocks (if ever)

[troutlakearts]

We have 5 Australorps about one year old & 3 Delawares that are about 8 months old. We have been keeping them apart (two separate connected coops) but they can see each other. We have tried a few times to put them together, but the older ones always relegate the younger ones to the roosts and it is upsetting for my wife so we always end up separating them, once again. Is it too late to try again? And how do we respond to the "negative behaviour", just ignore it???
Thanks!

 

[Kim_NC]

Try again and don't intervene unless you see blood drawn (highly unlikely). They'll sort it out within a couple days. But understand - they'll squabble some, then some are going to end up at the bottom of the pecking order. And that's fine, it's just life in the chicken world. Most likely the younger ones will end up closer to the bottom of the order...but one or two may be a little more 'scrappy' and end up a rung or so above a BA or two.