Hi everyone,
I am ashamed to admit that I bought "started pullets" from Murray McMurray hatchery. I did it because I wanted them to be approximately the same age as my other 5 chickens, who were going to be 18 weeks old when the new birds arrived. The started pullets were advertised as being between 15-22 weeks old. The plan was that I would quarantine and then introduce them to the rest of the flock. I bought three: two Delawares and one Austrolorp.
When the birds arrived 1.5 weeks ago, they were teeny and chirping like baby chicks. The hatchery was "distressed" upon seeing the pics I sent, and they gave me a full refund. But I am still stuck with the birds.
I have three questions for you expert chicken people:
1) How old do you think these chicks are? I am guessing somewhere between 7 and 11 weeks, but please correct me.
2) Is the Delaware that has more barring/dark feathers a cockerel, or a pullet? I wouldn't suspect cockerel except that it looks so totally different from the other one. Not knowing the age makes it extra hard to tell. Experts please advise.
3) How long do you think I have to wait until these birds are big enough to be safely introduced to my other chickens, who are now 20 weeks old? Are they already old enough?
(Also, I have learned my lesson buying hatchery birds, obviously. I bought my other chicks from a local breeder but wanted age-appropriate started pullets for my additions. What a mistake! In addition to being young, the Austrolorp they sent me is a mangy-looking lil thing! Gah.)
![IMG_E5928[1].JPG](https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_e5928-1-jpg.1423958/ "IMG_E5928[1].JPG")
I am ashamed to admit that I bought "started pullets" from Murray McMurray hatchery. I did it because I wanted them to be approximately the same age as my other 5 chickens, who were going to be 18 weeks old when the new birds arrived. The started pullets were advertised as being between 15-22 weeks old. The plan was that I would quarantine and then introduce them to the rest of the flock. I bought three: two Delawares and one Austrolorp.
When the birds arrived 1.5 weeks ago, they were teeny and chirping like baby chicks. The hatchery was "distressed" upon seeing the pics I sent, and they gave me a full refund. But I am still stuck with the birds.
I have three questions for you expert chicken people:
1) How old do you think these chicks are? I am guessing somewhere between 7 and 11 weeks, but please correct me.
2) Is the Delaware that has more barring/dark feathers a cockerel, or a pullet? I wouldn't suspect cockerel except that it looks so totally different from the other one. Not knowing the age makes it extra hard to tell. Experts please advise.
3) How long do you think I have to wait until these birds are big enough to be safely introduced to my other chickens, who are now 20 weeks old? Are they already old enough?
(Also, I have learned my lesson buying hatchery birds, obviously. I bought my other chicks from a local breeder but wanted age-appropriate started pullets for my additions. What a mistake! In addition to being young, the Austrolorp they sent me is a mangy-looking lil thing! Gah.)
