yeye5
Songster
I'm an early planner!
The chicks I'm asking about here are still only 8 weeks old and there is absolutely no rush.
I've been offered a gorgeous rooster from a friend and I accepted. His arrival will depend on readiness of his new house. Of course I won't let him be alone and I have 3 "of-age" hens all with one rooster. I plan to move a hen in with him to keep him company.
The choices of hens for him are: Lucy (who is pretty well past the egg laying stage) or 2 other egg layers(Snow White, leghorn and Henrietta, mixed) that are happy to be romanced.
The chicks (8 week olds) that I eventually want to add to his family have safe housing here already and I prefer they get as much time as they need.
Questions...
What age generally is a safe starting point to intro the pullets to the new roo?
Do you all suggest "supervised playtime" first or just take the plunge if they get along and moved them in together?
Would the choice of which hen he starts with effect the outcome of how the pullets plus hen and roo will do?
I initially am thinking of Lucy to give him. She is sort of a flock grandmother. She is very mellow and not at all competitive. Or should he get one of the egg laying feistier hens?
I'm posting this early so that I have time to take it slow and safe.
Any feedback is appreciated!
The chicks I'm asking about here are still only 8 weeks old and there is absolutely no rush.
I've been offered a gorgeous rooster from a friend and I accepted. His arrival will depend on readiness of his new house. Of course I won't let him be alone and I have 3 "of-age" hens all with one rooster. I plan to move a hen in with him to keep him company.
The choices of hens for him are: Lucy (who is pretty well past the egg laying stage) or 2 other egg layers(Snow White, leghorn and Henrietta, mixed) that are happy to be romanced.
The chicks (8 week olds) that I eventually want to add to his family have safe housing here already and I prefer they get as much time as they need.
Questions...
What age generally is a safe starting point to intro the pullets to the new roo?
Do you all suggest "supervised playtime" first or just take the plunge if they get along and moved them in together?
Would the choice of which hen he starts with effect the outcome of how the pullets plus hen and roo will do?
I initially am thinking of Lucy to give him. She is sort of a flock grandmother. She is very mellow and not at all competitive. Or should he get one of the egg laying feistier hens?
I'm posting this early so that I have time to take it slow and safe.
Any feedback is appreciated!