When to move chickens together?

[Keldryx]

I have six 14 week old Easter Eggers. Five cockerels and one hen (I’m working on separating them) and I have eleven 9 week old mixed flock. For the past month I’ve had them in an enclosure right beside the main coop area and I’m pretty sure they are aware of these chickens. I know chickens don’t understand age but they do size. Is those two week difference going to be too much in size? The pics may be a little deceiving as I’m closer to the older ones. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Chickinie]

I think you should let your 9 week old's grow up more before you introduce them, because most of your EE's are cockerels - they will pick on on your little hens. The little hens won't want to be harassed by the roos, they are not mature enough yet.

 

[Doc7]

Personally, I would put in a bunch of sight blockers - including feeders, waterer buckets, cut up logs from the yard, worn out furniture, etc, and go at it with a merge. There are so many birds that I don’t think one would specifically get picked on by a bigger bird, and you can always reseparate them if it doesn’t work out.

Not work out means blood drawn, you are going to have birds aggressively move towards other birds and give a peck if they get close, followed by a squeal and a run/flight away. That’s just part of merging.

 

[aart]

Is those two week difference going to be too much in size?

Nah, it's more about territory.
That close in size and maturity, it's not going to be a huge factor.

Some of these tips may help.
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Keldryx]

Thank you all for your advice . I have been thinking of what I can do to the big coop/run for the future merge. I’ve purchased more waterers and feeders. And I’m also thinking of what else to add for distractions. I appreciate all of your replies!