How can i intoruduce pullets

[FrahmChicks217]

It really depends on the breed of the more mature birds. I used to have Colombian Red X and they are just cannibals. One day one of the 8 week olds found a hole in the fence that I never noticed before and went over to the mature birds, it was just awful when I found what was left of it. Since that experience I never even tried to mix birds of different ages until the younger ones had fully matured. But then again, all of yours are still very young, hence, with good supervision, you will hopefully ok.

That's what I'm afraid of. But I'm praying since they're so close in age they'll be ok.

 

[FrahmChicks217]

I would start by trying to combine the older batches. Keep them penned next to each other by a fence for a few days to a week or two than try letting them mingle and see how it goes. I would wait on the week olds until they are a bit older.

Do I keep them outside over night as well? I have them in the run in wire dog kennels connected together with their own food and water.

 

[PoppeCountryEggs]

I would definitely not keep young chicken outside overnight, no matter how secure the run might be. It’s just an open invitation to predators and scary for the young ones. Do your chicken have a secure coop connected to the run that they can return to at night?

 

[FrahmChicks217]

I would definitely not keep young chicken outside overnight, no matter how secure the run might be. It’s just an open invitation to predators and scary for the young ones. Do your chicken have a secure coop connected to the run that they can return to at night?

Ya. So our set up is actually an old big garage. I think it was used to store tractors. It's foundation is cement as well. Our 8 week old girls go into the coop at night and I close the door going into it. We haven't installed a chicken door yet as we are still trying to figure out electrical as the previous people that lived here cut wires going to the lights and the outlet. I'm planning on buying a solar door this upcoming week. Just hard trying decide on one based on reviews they'll all seem to have issues.

 

[PoppeCountryEggs]

That’s ok as long as they are in that chicken garage for a while, initially, before you let them all into the run and the door is open for them to come back in, they will do so.
My chicken house does not have an electric door either, and sometimes (more often then I’d like to admit) we forget to close it at night, but because they learn to perch up high in there, they are usually ok. But we have also recently considered an electric chicken door (after 20 years).

 

[FrahmChicks217]

That’s ok as long as they are in that chicken garage for a while, initially, before you let them all into the run and the door is open for them to come back in, they will do so.
My chicken house does not have an electric door either, and sometimes (more often then I’d like to admit) we forget to close it at night, but because they learn to perch up high in there, they are usually ok. But we have also recently considered an electric chicken door (after 20 years).

Ya, I guess now I'm wondering how will I know it's time to let the smaller chicks our of the wire kennels so they can interact with the older chicks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ya, I guess now I'm wondering how will I know it's time to let the smaller chicks our of the wire kennels so they can interact with the older chicks.

The whole idea is to get them to forget the new ones are new. I generally do a week or two penned next to each other before letting them mingle under supervision. If I see aggression they get rounded up and I try again the next day, and the next.

 

[FrahmChicks217]

The whole idea is to get them to forget the new ones are new. I generally do a week or two penned next to each other before letting them mingle under supervision. If I see aggression they get rounded up and I try again the next day, and the next.

I did see someone say they also put them into a crate inside the coop at night if the weather permits it. Not sure if that helps them get used to each other a little faster?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I did see someone say they also put them into a crate inside the coop at night if the weather permits it. Not sure if that helps them get used to each other a little faster?

It will help. It will also get the young ones used to the new place too.

 

[FrahmChicks217]

Ok. Then

It will help. It will also get the young ones used to the new place too.

Ok. Then I'll put another crate in there with extra shavings and let them sleep out in the coop. It'll be easier to move them that way then ha ing to bring them back into the house every night like I have been.