adding 4 week old to 8 week olds?

[SamCO]

I have 8 almost 8 week old pullets (so far no cockerels that I can tell.) They are in a 7x10 walk in coop, and their covered run is about 11x15. I'm hoping to free range too, once avian flu has passed. The feed store I got these girls from has some 4+ week olds they are selling, and I'm thinking of getting a few more. I'm hoping to brood them in a dog crate within the coop so they can see each other from the start and get to know each other. Think this is a bad idea? is a month difference in age too much? I would be careful to watch the interactions and make sure no one is getting hurt. Anyone have experience doing this with these ages?

 

[Battlepants]

So few notes on this (excuse my scatter brain on this )

https://imgur.com/UYUdfBr

Fairly sure this is a roo due to that wattle. That's the only one I'm currently suspecting, but if you can get better pictures of the head (mostly looking at comb and wattle at this stage), we can help with sexing them.

4 week olds don't really need the brooder, especially in this warmer weather. So your dog crate concept will work very well with little to no heat provided.

See-but-not-touch concept is a wonderful way to introduce these two flocks. I would probably keep them separated like this for about a week before letting them together.

With the avian flu going around, I would probably keep these two flocks entirely separated for about 2 weeks to see if anyone is going to show symptoms. It's bad to lose the newbies to this illness, it's worse to lose your entire flock.

Free ranging can work but keep in mind the increase in threat from predators. And the smaller the chicken, the more likely a predator will choose to attack. I would suggest against free ranging in general, but risk can be mitigated with lots of cover to dive under and human activity in the area.

 

[SamCO]

I'll try to get better photos tomorrow. these are a week ago at 7 weeks. She is my sweetest bird, and I hadn't thought she was a cockerel based on the photos I've looked at. From what I've seen, the wyandottes can have more red comb/wattles early. I'll keep an eye on her/him. If thats the only one who is a rooster, and he stays friendly, I'll happily keep him. I've been thinking of getting a roo anyway, but was waiting to confirm the genders of my current flock so that I don't get multiple. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[SamCO]

Cockerel or pullet?

 

[Battlepants]

With you mentioning that Wyandottes get their wattles early, I looked into this and I'd have to agree with this.

I found another thread where a 4 week old had more wattle than your picture at 8 weeks. Very likely a roo, but unconfirmed. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/1-month-old-wyandotte-pullet-red-combs-and-wattle.252933/

Another thread I found was someone with a fairly similar wattle and comb to what you are seeing. Page 4 of this thread had confirmation that this was a pullet. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...den-laced-wyandotte-hopefully-pullet.1018708/

 

[SamCO]

Thank you! I was actually posting a separate thread at the time when you replied. I guess it might just be a matter of waiting and seeing. thanks for the links to those other threads.