I have a few questions about integrating my new chickens into my existing flock. I have 5 3-year-old hens and have added 4 almost 4 month old chickens to the flock. I have a fenced in yard where they free range all day, so plenty of space. In general, they are doing ok, just a little bullying from the big girls. The babies stick together & try to avoid the big girls. My first question is will the eventually hang out together, or will they always stay separated?

The second issue is bedtime. The big girls put themselves to bed in the coop, but the new ones stay out in the run & sleep on the roosts out there. Most evenings I go out & put them in the coop on the roosts, but I can’t do it every night. Do I need to keep doing this, or will they eventually figure it out on their own?

Thanks for any advice or ideas.