Will 2 flocks together work in one coop?

[kiwichickchicks]

Hi everyone, I'm new to BYC and new to keeping chickens. Last Sunday I had zero chickens. Due to a miss communication today I now have 1 Bantam hen with three 5 week old chicks and 1 Brown Shaver hen with seven 3 week old chicks and a 5 year old daughter that wants to keep them all Will this work? We have a reasonable large run (2m x 12m) for them and my partner will extend the coop if we can make this work. Really wanted to know whether 2 hens and their chicks will live happily together in the coop and run or are we heading for a disaster? I will not be keeping any cockerels as I live in the city. Many thanks in advance Kiwichickchicks

 

[Pork Pie]

I would separate both coop and run for the time being - this will allow both chicks and hens to see each other, but not mix - mother hens can be crazy, so it may not be worth risking mixing them for now. Perhaps consider merging them when both mothers have weaned their chicks - then it should be ok.

Good luck

CT

 

[N F C]

x2 on CTKen's suggestion. Better to be safe than sorry if you put them all together and things didn't go smoothly.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

agree with CTKen and Welcome to Backyard chickens

 

[junebuggena]

Integrating to hens with chicks is a bit tricky. Hens have been known to kill chicks that aren't their own. Both families will need time to get to know each other before you let them all interact.