will different age groups merge into one flock?

[Swurts]

These are all my chickens. I had the bigger ones(EE and black sex) first then about two weeks later I got the younger four (bantams)that are int he corner. They have been together in the big coop for about a month now. They still act as two separate groups. The rooster doesn't want anything to do with them. I let them free range when I'm outside during the day and they go in opposite directions. Will they ever merge and be one flock? The rooster does a great job of protecting his four ladies but I wish he would protect them all. Is there something I can do to help make it happen?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

The rooster will not nothing to do with them until they become sexual mature,and they will then lay eggs,and the hens may even be more acceptable.

They may merge,but may also keep distance with each other,that's my experience.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

The will merge into one flock. They smaller birds may stay aloof until they catch up in size is all.

 

[Swurts]

Thank you both!! I really wouldn't care as long as he would protect them. I had a huge snake come around when I was working on the coop and they were all free ranging. The roo shooed his girls away and left the others. Lol! Luckily I grabbed it before it got one.

 

[azygous]

How old is this rooster? Inexperienced roos sometimes do a sloppy job until they grow into their role.

It's normal for chicks to form sub flocks with the chicks they are brooded with. This bond lasts for life. Your younger chicks are just behaving in an obviously cliquish manner because they still are very young and crave the security of their mates, so they tend to hang out very close together. As they gain self confidence, they will display a more independent behavior.

 

[Swurts]

The roo and his flock are 13 weeks and the others are almost 8 weeks.

 

[aart]

They're all still babies........cockerel probably won't 'take care' of younger birds until they are at point of lay.
But he may(probably) start harassng them along with the older girls before any of them are ready to mate.