I have seven almost 4 week old chickens that I want to merge with 5 dual purpose chickens(3 hens, 2 roosters)that are 6 weeks old. I plan on keeping all of them as egg layers, future breeding stock etc. They also share the coop with 3 Bantam Silkies (1 rooster, 2 hens). I have another coop which the bantams will be moved into but will still share the same yard with all the gang. So.....
1. How do I merge my new 4 week olds in with them?
2. If the Bantam Silkie cock is the dominant one(which it appears to be)will he cross breed with my other chickens?(Even if they have their own house I am assuming they will breed during the day in the yard?)
3. I know 3 roosters(1 is Columbian Rock x, one is a dual purpose guy who my kids love and made me save from the butcher, and the other is a Barred Rock)are too many for 9 hens...will this be a problem? AND is the mating always done by the dominant rooster?

Heidi, this has been my experience .....

First, I'm told you should wait till the chicks are at least 10 weeks old to merge them with an already-established flock. And yes, it seems that the dominant roosters (they battle it out between them) are the ones to cover the hens ... and in my limited experience the hens are more likely to suffer injury, not to mention featherless backs and just hasslement in general <G> when there are too many roosters. I'd pick who you want to be the daddy, and separate the others into their own pens. At one time we had 6 roosters for about 20 hens, and when we finally culled 4 of the roosters, the chicken yard was a MUCH more peaceful place.

HTH!!

Shannon,
Thanks for the reply! Do you clip your roosters spurs? Just curious! I guess I'll have to build another space in my barn for awhile for the 4 week olds...I also have some Indian Runner Ducks, 2 Chinese goslings and a Muscovy duck....if they are in a large enclosed outside area during the day think they'll pick on the chickens?