Can I raise week old chicks with my lonely pullet?

[NguyenA1]

I have a silver laced wyandotte pullet who is 2.5 months old. She had 2 silkie pullets with her but 1 died and the other I had to give away because it turned out to be a rooster and would crow in the mornings.

If I get 2 new silkies, could I put a 100 watt lamp in my 4' by 8' coop with the 2 silkie chics so that my silver laced wyandotte pullet isn't alone? I usually raise my chicks in a large cardboard box.

Will the silkie chics be too dumb and not stay under the heat lamp or not be able to find the heat lamp and food and water in such a large area?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Chickens are very social birds so the Wyandotte would need some company. The silkies should be fine in a large space chickens aren't quiet as dumb as you think. Sometimes little chicks don't eat the few hours you have them, but me and my family has raised 36 chickens and had minor problems with eating. I got two a couple months ago that were in a fairly large space and one was a silkie and it didn't seem to be eating and its alive today so it obviously was!

 

[BGinVA]

I'm confused by this post and the follow up post..... Are you asking if your approximately 10 week old pullet would raise some new chicks? My answer lacking experience in this matter is no she will not. She hasn't even laid an egg yet much less had the opportunity or experience to become broody. You say that you normally raise your chicks in a cardboard box, well any new chicks need to be raised the same way at this point, and no they are not "too dumb" to stay under the light, but your older girl could be a threat to their safety.

 

[NguyenA1]

No I don't expect the 10 week old pullet to raise and keep the chicks warm. But I want her to feel like she is part of a flock and socialized. My concern was if the chicks would know to stay near the lamp at night in such a large space.

I dont want to raise my chicks in a cardboard box and leave my 10 week old alone for so long. You do have a good point. I don't know if a 10 week old chicken already starts pecking other chicks to establish a pecking order.

 

[HappyRoo]

"Quote from newguy"
the other I had to give away because it turned out to be a rooster and would crow in the mornings.


I wouldn't want Peeps if it wasn't for those Cock-al-doodles, but thats just me.

right now I just put a left to die chick in a box with lamp by himself he is 5 days old. was laying face down in coop kicked out by his mom? she was pecking him trying to kill him I presume.
I picked it up and started messaging him and warming him up within an hour he started chirping couldn't stand up on his own. this morning he was under lamp standing chirping for some food and his mom, guess I will be his Dad if he Lives. will keep you posted.
PS. I have had lone chicks survive this way already. and they still stay away but near flock.??
ask: The chick was sick and Half the size of his sisters, and mom new he was'nt gonna fit in ." like the little sick pup", I'm guessing.

 

[Vicky2479]

The chicks will find the heat lamp if they need it, but I would maybe try putting them in a clear plastic tub with in the coop as this will allow the pullet to see them but not get at them. The other option and the one I would look into is trying to find some pullets closer in age to your lonely girl, this would be preferable I think for several reasons, older pullets will be able to stand up to her better if she decided to assert her dominance, you won't have to worry about feeding them different feeds, you will get eggs at about the same time and from what I understand It is nearly impossible to sex silkie chicks where as if you get older ones you are more likely to get hens instead of more Roos that will need to be rehomed.

 

[NguyenA1]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[HappyRoo]

Vicky,
The chicks will find the heat lamp if they need it, but I would maybe try putting them in a clear plastic tub with in the coop as this will allow the pullet to see them but not get at them.

This is the 1st I heard about clear tube Greaaaat !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

 

[DantesInferno]

Right now I've got 3 little game birds with one big dominque pullet. She loves them, and they love her. In fact I was just telling my friend that I seperated the three babys from the dominque while I cleaned they're pen and it sounded like they were crying like they had been seperated from their mother in a store, they didn't stop til I put the slightly destressed pullet back with the 3 young chicks. I know with them at least, they all love eachother very much. Chickens really arn't that dumb when you really get to know them, they should figure it out in no time at all.