The supplier I got my pullets from gave me different ages of chickens, a few still peeping, will thi

Hi everyone, long time no see. I have been inactive for awhile as I have moved several times and had several flocks since.

I just got a new flock of hens this morning-- all of them had been kept at the supplier in the same enclosure.

There are three easter eggers, 2 barred rocks, and one mystery fowl that I think might be some kind of game or jungle fowl hybrid. I know she's not a production hen, but I like them because they are smart and usually the first to alert hens of any danger.

The easter eggers are all feathered out, only slightly smaller than the fowl hen. The barred rocks are also feathered out completely and have the beginnings of combs starting.

I went to the grange today after placing an order earlier in the week and the supplier (who seemed pretty young) said they were the same age. We were in a bit of a rush and they seemed to be similar sizes so I took his word for it and boxed up the hens.


I got home, though, and noticed the 3 eggers are still making peeps, even though they appear to be fully feathered out with all their flight feathers, etc.

The two barred rocks and the fowl all cluck, and the fowl definitely likes to assert herself over the young ones. She onIy picks on the easter eggers, but leaves the rocks alone. The rocks seem pretty indifferent about the babies. I made sure they had some places to hide in our fairly large coop.

After going out to check on them, though, I noticed to my surprise the fowl hen had already laid an egg.


So I have one sexually mature bossy chicken, and 5 pullets, 3 of whom still peep and hide.

Should I be worried about this or just try to continue seeing how it goes? Should I keep them separated?

If they were in the same enclosure before you got them, maybe it will not be an issue. Personally, I'd just keep an eye on them and be prepared to separate them if necessary. Multiple feeding stations will also help.


I had a similar experience. I picked up 10 one month old pullets, who were at least 2 months old and found out that 6 were cockerels. Returned them and was given 4 pullets (3 months old each from 2 different enclosures) so i ended up with 3 sub-flocks in my quarantine / grow out pen! What a first few days that was!

All the best
CT

I just found out from the owner of the grange-- (not the kid that I had help me wrangle them)

She is an aseel. I'm not sure if she's full blooded or not, but I have no experience with the breed and I've read the hens will kill other chickens. Is this true? She definitely pecks the younger ones but so far no blood. She leaves the barred rocks alone.

Sorry, i know nothing about that breed - maybe if you check the "Breeds" section and / or ask on the "general breed discussions and FAQ" forum.

All the best
CT

So far the consensus is that they are pretty aggressive. I've read accounts of a few people who managed to keep hens with their layers, so I'm hopeful-- but for now I'm just letting her free range with the bigger chickens while the peepers stay confined (they can still see each other and their food/watering stations are close together)

They seem to do fine in the pasture, so maybe I'll just give her her own spot if I she doesn't work out.

She will probably be the queen of the flock! They are noted for being very alert and very good broody hens, too. Should be fun to see how it works out. Mary

I'd be most concerned about bringing chickens from the grange and putting them with your existing flock without any integration.
The birds may have all been in the same enclosure when you picked them up, but was that a permanent enclosure or just temporary to sell blocks of birds??

I don't have an existing flock. They are all new. I'm not sure about that second question, but they seem to be tolerating each other at the moment without any blood.