Pecking order! Chickens take this QUITE seriously.

One way to try to get them to adjust to each other is to slip the little ones in while the older ones are roosting (bedded down) for the night. Chickens get quite lethargic during that time. Sometimes when they wake up.

Also you can make a doorway/hole in their smaller cage that is ONLY big enough for them to get in and out, then they can come out when they're feeling brave and run in and hide when they are feeling threatened.

I need to integrate my flocks soon. The chicks are in a tractor right now, but I let them out in the evening to graze with the free-roaming hens. So far no problems as long as the chicks don't try to go for the same bug as a hen.

I know it will be a different story when I finally let the little ones sleep in the coop. Closer quarters will be sure to invite arguements.

I had to run to work with DH last night and on the way home it began to rain lightly. I dashed into the back yard to throw up the sides of the coop and stopped...rather startled that all 6 medium and larger chicks were up higher than the roost on the ledge where the screen is. They were all huddled up there, sleeping away. DH said they do this all the time, for he usually shuts up one side of the coop. The littles were snuggled down as well safe in their space. I opened the coop and only Minerva, the head Mama opened one eye for an instant. They were all tuckered out.

So...when do I let the littles out of the 'cage'? This little cage is made of hardware cloth so the medium and larger birds can't stick their heads in and vice versa.It's 2-sides of a square, up against the wall of the coop with an end...maybe I could move it away from the wall? These girls though, tend to get startled and are kept away from the food and water by the bigger ones. Maybe this is best for a while?