Musical runs!

[di]

Not runs as in the smelly kind...similar question to Snadgers,but a lil different!
At present we have our ten Isa's in their own run/coop,marigold & Dandelion & their five babies in another and then the eight at home.
They are now(I think)six weeks old.
How do you think is the best way forward?
We're thinking of putting the older girls back in their old run & coop...is six weeks long enough rest for it?Then the plan was to put D&M & their chicks in where the Isa's are now & the chicks from home can have the broody run.
But now wondering whether it would be better to move D&M alone into the at present Isa run & put all the chicks together...would they fight too badly?or at that age should it be fairly harmless?
Dandelion & Marigold seem to have absolutely no motherly feelings anymoreand in fact yesterday were establishing their place in the pecking order...don't think they would have hurt the chicks,but were definately letting them know they didn't appreciate them under their feet all day!
The hopeful plan at the end of it all is that D&M will be housed with the new girlie chicks...think all hell would let loose if they went back with the others,but would it be easier to first introduce the chicks at a younger age to each other & then when D&M are re~introduced,they may have size on their side,but the chicks will have numbers.(I'm assuming it would be unwise to put the chicks at home in with Dandelion & Marigold?
Sorry for the waffle...couldn't think of a shorter way to put it!But would be good to hear your suggestions!

[Snadger]

Similar problems myself...............I'll be interested in replies!

[Bephlam]

no idea...but I'll be interested to know the answer!

[RichmondHens]

It's easiest to split groups down according to size/age. I would put all the adults together in one pen (would that be the ISAs and D & M?) and all the chicks together in another pen. It also makes it easier feed-wise. You can get all the youngsters on grower feed together, and the layers on their usual pellets or mash (whatever you use).

There WILL be some fighting in both groups. I know you are worried about D & M but give them a few days to sort themselves out. There will also be fighting (particularly) among the young cocks but they are still small enough to not hurt each other at this stage. Depending on how much accommodation you have, you may have to, in a few weeks or so, split the youngsters again into male and female pens. When the females are of similar size to the ISAs and D & M they can then join them. You can then fatten up the cocks or move them on, whatever your plans for them are.

[Hilary B]

I would put the chicks together, in the 'cleanest' run you have. If you want the flower girls to eventually join them, a good time would be once the babies are all 'one flock' but with a view to moving any boys as soon as they start getting serious about fighting.
If the long term plan is for one group of girls, I would do it Richmond's way, but best to add the larger group to a pen in which the 2 flower girls already feel at home. It will give them a slight advantage, to make up for being outnumbered.