How do you thin the herd?

[FattyChickens]

I went a bit chick crazy this past spring and have 11 chicks that are about 7 weeks old. 4 lavender orpingtons, 1 white orpington, 1 mystery, 1 barred rock (im guessing), 1 buff brahma, 1 ancona and 2 white leghorns.


At 7 weeks old, one of the lavenders is already showing some red and comb growth. The white orp and the ancona are also showing some color so I'm like 99% sure that they're little cockerels. I can provide images.

So those 3 are definitely on their way out, as sad as i am bc i love them all. For the rest of the chicks, how should I go about figuring out who to keep? My run for them isn't terribly large so I just wanna make sure everyone has enough space to be happy and cluckin', and for context I already have an 8 hen flock. I don't breed, I keep them as pets but definitely enjoy the eggs. In your experience, are skittish chicks more likely to grow up aloof and scared of you? Because in that case I might want to re-home the skittish ones as well. Thank you guys!

 

[swamphiker]

It's definitely a tough decision! In my experience, skittish pullets grow up to be skittish hens. Picking the friendlier pullets is one way to do it. I also sometimes make decisions based on their various endearing quirks.

When I raise chicks I usually share with a few chicken-keeping friends, so it's nice to be able to visit some of my former charges.

 

[FattyChickens]

Thank you! The barred rock, 2 leghorns and 3 of the lavendars are all pretty social and dont mind being held, so i know im keeping them. Now with the remaining 5 I just have to figure out who is a cockerel. I really wish they matured faster so I could know for certain already lol

 

[McChooky]

My leghorns have been the hardest chickens I've integrated into my flock. I free range them an hour a day which helps.They prefer their freedom over a run.

 

[McChooky]

My older hens hatched in 2021 and my 2 yrs olds right behind them.. My hell raisers were raised from chicks last year.They rule the coop.
Leghorns and welsummers

 

[FattyChickens]

thank you guys! It's always been a dream of mine to own a couple white leghorns, so I really hope they work out

 

[LaFleche]

How old are your older 8 hens and what breeds? Have you considered rehoming some of them to make room for the young ones?

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

I like to be able to tell my hens apart, lol. Since you’re not looking to breed, I’d probably keep my favorite pullet from each breed or color.

 

[aart]

Oh, he77, just build a bigger coop and run and keep them all!

 

[HowIsItDone]

It's definitely a tough decision! In my experience, skittish pullets grow up to be skittish hens. Picking the friendlier pullets is one way to do it. I also sometimes make decisions based on their various endearing quirks.

When I raise chicks I usually share with a few chicken-keeping friends, so it's nice to be able to visit some of my former charges.

I was wondering about visiting chicken keeping friends...

Am I likely to track pathogens home to my flock?