When will they commingle?

[Sinadrea]

My 12 week old Pullets have finally decided to organically go in the coop with the older group, which consists of 3 older Hens and a Roo.

The problem is, the older group is not too happy about it. In the day time, they act like they are a separate flock. Roo is kind of warming up, just a little... but he ignores them unless I am giving out treats. 2nd in charge Hen is a b**** to them and will chase them away if she sees them ANYWHERE near her flock.

I am thrilled to see the little ones finally join the older chickens but I noticed at dusk the two groups huddle closely together with their familiars on opposite sides of the coop, as far away as they can get from the other group. One of my new chicks hides from everyone during the day and has accepted a lower roosting bar in the coop by herself. I'm hoping it's normal for her to prefer to be alone but it is sad too.

I will have a total of 9 birds for now. Over time will they get a little closer with the older crew? I got the pullets because Roo's flock was dwindling after the Spring flood hit us.

 

[DobieLover]

It is completely normal to have sub-flocks while youngsters grow up and learn the ropes in an adult flock. They typically stay that way until the pullets start laying.

As for your low ranking girl, someone will always be low ranking. If she feels safer and more secure roosting alone, let her be. These girls still exist within the flock and enjoy life but they are always cautious.

Your second in command is trying to maintain her ranking with the new girls and that is why she is behaving that way.

You will also find that birds that have been together the longest become friends and hang out together and roost together.

I have two 6.5 year old girls that stick together. Occasionally one of the 5.5 year olds joins them. I also have a trio of half-sisters that all look extremely similar that stick close together. Two of them are from the same hatch but their younger sister is 2 years younger than them.

Given lots of space and things to do in that space, they will develop an interesting social structure. But as I wrote, the younger ones always have it tough in the beginning. Even when raised by a broody hen. Once she weans them, they form a sub-flock.

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

That’s normal behavior in my flock there is a sub-flock of 4 OE pullets and an OE cockerel, then the other is two mixed pullets one normal and one bantam, then I have one with 5 guineas and a barred rock cockerel, and finally I have my main flock of one rooster and 7 laying hens. All flocks are like this and usually stay like this until they all are sexually mature and see your main rooster as the alpha.