OK, so let me see if I'm understanding what I've gotten from browsing around here...
I have 4 chicks (1 Buff Orp, 1 Lt. Brahma, 2 Cochin), 2 adult Silkies (1 just started laying), and 2 adult Sex-link laying machines
I am hoping to integrate them when the chicks get a little bigger (they are 8 weeks now)
Everybody has met through a pen, and though the older ladies have been somewhat aggressive towards them, they have stopped attacking the Silkies when they are all loose in the yard with plenty of room. I figure they will all work it out and expect the chicks will be at least as big as the layers eventually so theyll be able to fend for themselves. Don't misunderstand, I monitor them closely, always ready to step in if things get ugly.
OK, so as to feeding.
I feed Layer pellets to the adults and Chick starter to the chicks.
If I switch everybody to Flock raiser and offer Oyster shells to the adults, everybody can eat the same?
Of course I just bought a bag of Layer pellets, duh! I wasn't thinking. I'm keeping them separated for a while longer, but don't think I will go through a WHOLE 50lb by then.
My husband is almost finished the coop & run so I was thinking about putting the chicks & Silkies together first, since they are roughly the same size, then adding the grouchies a little later. They are used to running not only our yard but also our neighbors on both sides, so I worry that confining them is going to make them crabby. But unfortunately one neighbor just planted his sumer veggie garden (unfenced, of course) and am afraid the ladies are soon going to make themselves unwelcome.
What do y'all think?
Any suggestions as to making life in the run more tolerable for them? I figure once "veggie season" is over I can let them out again. FYI the coop is 8X8, and the run is approx. 25X25.
Thanks for your help! You guys alway shave great info & ideas!
~Terry
I have 4 chicks (1 Buff Orp, 1 Lt. Brahma, 2 Cochin), 2 adult Silkies (1 just started laying), and 2 adult Sex-link laying machines
I am hoping to integrate them when the chicks get a little bigger (they are 8 weeks now)
Everybody has met through a pen, and though the older ladies have been somewhat aggressive towards them, they have stopped attacking the Silkies when they are all loose in the yard with plenty of room. I figure they will all work it out and expect the chicks will be at least as big as the layers eventually so theyll be able to fend for themselves. Don't misunderstand, I monitor them closely, always ready to step in if things get ugly.
OK, so as to feeding.
I feed Layer pellets to the adults and Chick starter to the chicks.
If I switch everybody to Flock raiser and offer Oyster shells to the adults, everybody can eat the same?
Of course I just bought a bag of Layer pellets, duh! I wasn't thinking. I'm keeping them separated for a while longer, but don't think I will go through a WHOLE 50lb by then.
My husband is almost finished the coop & run so I was thinking about putting the chicks & Silkies together first, since they are roughly the same size, then adding the grouchies a little later. They are used to running not only our yard but also our neighbors on both sides, so I worry that confining them is going to make them crabby. But unfortunately one neighbor just planted his sumer veggie garden (unfenced, of course) and am afraid the ladies are soon going to make themselves unwelcome.
What do y'all think?
Any suggestions as to making life in the run more tolerable for them? I figure once "veggie season" is over I can let them out again. FYI the coop is 8X8, and the run is approx. 25X25.
Thanks for your help! You guys alway shave great info & ideas!
~Terry
