2 days ago, early, I needed to move 12 4-week-olds out of my brooder, they had no other place to go than my youngun's run, which had cockerels and pullets that were just over 11 week-old. So, I did;
Well, today the cockerels are mingling just fine with the 4 weeks olds, and the 11 week pullets are integrated into the laying flock. I have tried this before with smaller quantities, and they all got killed. This is attempt #1 with quantity, but right now, it looks to me, if you put enough at one time no one bird gets picked on to death.
- 7 Pullets into the main flock, yup, they could get killed by the 23-week layers or the 3-yr-old layers, or the 2-yr-old roo
- Built an outdoor run, fenced, covered, but new space with greens on the ground, for the youngun's.
- Built a hide for the 4 week-olds
- Put new additional feeders in, such that 4 week-olds could eat from the hide.
Well, today the cockerels are mingling just fine with the 4 weeks olds, and the 11 week pullets are integrated into the laying flock. I have tried this before with smaller quantities, and they all got killed. This is attempt #1 with quantity, but right now, it looks to me, if you put enough at one time no one bird gets picked on to death.