Michele Chiles
In the Brooder
- May 22, 2017
- 4
- 6
- 44
I purchased my first flock of chics June 1st. They are now 13 weeks old. I have 5 hens - 2 buff orpies 2 australorps & 1 golden Phoenix plus 1 Barr rock roo about 17 weeks now. We built a small coop and just finished a 10x16' extension runway!!! This flock is doing great and am hoping for eggs in a few weeks.
July 24th I purchased a second set of flock but their ages vary a little. I bought 3 silkies but 2 died in just a few days. I believe they got trampled by others. One survived and is doing really well. Tough as a nail I must say and is now almost 6 weeks. I also have a red sexlink and silver laced Wyandotte both hens and r about 7weeks, then I have white cochin about 8 weeks that I believe is a roo. No crowing yet. This flock is in their own brooding box and I put them in a pen next to the coop daily. Now that I have the run I pit the 2x6' pen into the spacious run to assist with them all getting to know each other.
I have tried to put the cochin out with the others but the 17 week old Barr rock terrorizes him chasing and pecking him offense poor things squeals and freezes. I figured it's so stressful so I pull him after a hour or two and put back with his flock in their pen and brood box at nite.
The biggest question I have is what do I do with my 17 week old roo? Do I let the cochin and him try to work it out? Will they ever work it out? Is the cochin old enough to integrate? Should I boot the 17 week old roo out of the pen? I live in the country will he survive if I do and where will he sleep?? aAlso are my young hens old enough to integrate nowwith the 12-13 week old flock and roo? They are getting big. And then there's the 6 week old silkie. I was not planning on only having the one. Do you think she or maybe he will survive with this bunch?? I know this is a lot. I sure could use some guidance.
July 24th I purchased a second set of flock but their ages vary a little. I bought 3 silkies but 2 died in just a few days. I believe they got trampled by others. One survived and is doing really well. Tough as a nail I must say and is now almost 6 weeks. I also have a red sexlink and silver laced Wyandotte both hens and r about 7weeks, then I have white cochin about 8 weeks that I believe is a roo. No crowing yet. This flock is in their own brooding box and I put them in a pen next to the coop daily. Now that I have the run I pit the 2x6' pen into the spacious run to assist with them all getting to know each other.
I have tried to put the cochin out with the others but the 17 week old Barr rock terrorizes him chasing and pecking him offense poor things squeals and freezes. I figured it's so stressful so I pull him after a hour or two and put back with his flock in their pen and brood box at nite.
The biggest question I have is what do I do with my 17 week old roo? Do I let the cochin and him try to work it out? Will they ever work it out? Is the cochin old enough to integrate? Should I boot the 17 week old roo out of the pen? I live in the country will he survive if I do and where will he sleep?? aAlso are my young hens old enough to integrate nowwith the 12-13 week old flock and roo? They are getting big. And then there's the 6 week old silkie. I was not planning on only having the one. Do you think she or maybe he will survive with this bunch?? I know this is a lot. I sure could use some guidance.
We're so happy you joined us
hello
