I have one pullet and 9 hens. I couldn't stop one from brooding so i let her have one. She's now 12 weeks old and she and her mother are caged off in a corner of the coop with their own food and water. Space is getting smaller and I feel like it might be ok to incorporate her now. Traditionally I've heard 4 months but I thought that was for pecking order scuffles and food (because of the calcium or protein levels) for pullets. I thought about cutting a small hole in the chicken wire so she can go back and forth while the others can't get in, but that doesn't eliminate the food issue. She would be able to access the layer food. So I'd either have to let them stick it out or switch out all the food to grower (they have free choice calcium anyways).
I feel bad for the mother too. She's already laying eggs again in this little confined area.
I feel bad for the mother too. She's already laying eggs again in this little confined area.