How Long To PlayPen

[alisonmanes]

Hello. I've got a flock of 8 chickens under 2 years old and I'm play penning my Serama who was previously part of the flock and her adopted EE Bantam chick. The chick is 25 days old and mama is still keeping her warm. When can I open the gate and let them all interact? I'm a bit worried about size because the 8 mature hens are all regular sized breeds, Austrolorps, Barred Rock, Ancona, Cream Brabanther, Amercaunas and a Red Sexlink. This is my first time with a chick and I really don't want a massacre.

 

[alisonmanes]

That may have been unclear - here is a photo. My Serama and her chick are on the right and the big girls are on the left. There is a gate to keep them separate for the time being.

 

[pullinV3s]

I have nothing to say that will help this situation, but **** that is a cool COOP! I love it!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Your coop is double cute!

If they've only been separated by wire, I'd go ahead and open the gate and let them mingle, supervised of course. Expect some bickering, but don't be surprised if your little Serama momma ends up being the instigator and kicks some butt feathers. If things get too bad, pull them apart and try again later, but try to give them every chance to get past it.

Good luck!

 

[alisonmanes]

Thank you - we turned our kid's abandoned sandbox into a coop.

 

[alisonmanes]

Your coop is double cute!

If they've only been separated by wire, I'd go ahead and open the gate and let them mingle, supervised of course. Expect some bickering, but don't be surprised if your little Serama momma ends up being the instigator and kicks some butt feathers. If things get too bad, pull them apart and try again later, but try to give them every chance to get past it.

Good luck!

Is the chick still in danger of drowning? That's my other concern. We have a teeny tiny waterer for her but the big girls have a trough.

 

[lazy gardener]

If the trough is such that she can get in it, it's a distinct possibility.

 

[aart]

Hopefully momma will still protect the 4 week old chick.
Where was she in the pecking order before being separated with her chick?