Adding babies to the coop of 1

[faerielady]

Sorry if this is already answered somewhere else, but the sheer volume of posts made it very difficult to sort through all the threads!

About 6 weeks ago I had 5 black sex linked five week old pullets attacked by my St. Bernard (he literally broke his way into the coop and crushed them by jumping up and down on them). 1 survived with a broken wing and abrasions. I called my dad, who came over and set her wing/taped it up, used something I think Wound Kote? on the abrasions. I promptly rehomed the St. B, I just couldn't handle having a 150+ lb dog who would do what he did (yes, I know he's a dog and they have instincts, but this required planning and brute force, and I had to choke him off the remaining pullet... difficult when he weighs more than I do).

I named the survivor Lucky. She really IS lucky too... since my dad knows what he's doing when setting bones, her wing healed cleanly and she can flap, mantle, and fly. However, she's cooped by herself.

I have 4 other 4 week old pullets (I don't know what they are yet, I'm not good with identifying breeds... from a MPC rainbow pullet box). I've had them since they were shipped (they mailed on a Monday, got them on Wednesday, it'll be 4 weeks ago tomorrow), so I don't have to worry about quarantine. Will I be making a big mistake if I put them in her coop?

 

[chookchick]

If the weather where you are at is suitable for them to be outside, then I would partition off an area of the coop for them for a few weeks. That way the chickens can get used to each other, and it will be company, as well as a distraction for the remaining survivor (even though they are separated). After 2-3 weeks, you could try putting them together, but don't be surprised if she acts hostile at first. Good luck and I hope it all works out well!

 

[insiderart]

So she's 12 weeks and they're 4 weeks? I bet she won't mind them. I would put them together supervised and see what happens. She might be standoffish at first, but after a few days I bet she will come around.

But then I have silkies they might not be like other chickens.....

 

[max101]

I have silkies as well and when I have introduced new chickens to them they are a bit put out. They give chase but not aggressively. It didnt take to long for mine to become one happy family. If you are going to supervise remember let them carry on a bit as it is a pecking order thing and they all need to know where thet stand. Dont let it go over board though. Sory to hear about your loss though lucky is sure one lucky chick