Adding Adult Hens to Flock of 8 8wk Old Pullets

[mdnees]

I've been searching around the forums and I'm beginning to think I've got this backwards

I've read adding chicks to your flock, but I want to do the opposite - I want to add some adult hens to my flock of 8 pullets (4 Barred Rock/4 RIR) who are going on 8 weeks old right now. The reason in doing this is so we can start collecting eggs now. My husband was going to get one but after reading other threads, I'm beginning to think he should get at least two - so they can buddy up. To add to the madness - we have 3 Pekin ducks (also 8wks old) that share the run and coop. Is this going to make things more difficult? Any suggestions?

 

[Percheron chick]

I would be more concerned with the health of the existing 8 weeks old chicks and ducks if you introduced older hens to the mix. But to answer the question, I would go with 2 over 1. It should be easier than adding chicks to adult hens.

 

[JessesGirl]

I would be more concerned with the health of the existing 8 weeks old chicks and ducks if you introduced older hens to the mix. But to answer the question, I would go with 2 over 1. It should be easier than adding chicks to adult hens.

Do you know anything about adding a rooster to chicks? I have 10 chicks and a friend with a grown rooster who needs a home asap. my girls are maybe 2 months...not big...about big enough that its easier to pick them up with two hands but i can still do so with just one hand.

would he kill them? could i take him if i kept him separated for a length of time or would that not matter?
also, im getting 18 more on the 20th from a hatchery.....

 

[JessesGirl]

Hey read this!! I just found it posted by a moderator in another thread. SO helpful!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Percheron chick]

Do you know anything about adding a rooster to chicks? I have 10 chicks and a friend with a grown rooster who needs a home asap. my girls are maybe 2 months...not big...about big enough that its easier to pick them up with two hands but i can still do so with just one hand.

would he kill them? could i take him if i kept him separated for a length of time or would that not matter?
also, im getting 18 more on the 20th from a hatchery.....

You just don't know how he will change in a new situation. But the real question is do you want and need a rooster? My roosters were tormenting my 8 week old chicks and trying to breed them so they all left. Not worth it to loose one pullet. With a new batch coming, there is an excellent chance that you will end up with a rooster in that batch. Better to have a cockerel that is the same age and try to make that work than take on a mature rooster.