Introducing 3 pullets to 1 full grown hen

[cluckmecoop7]

I need advice on what the best way is to introduce 3 six week old pullets/chicks to my existing hen who needs a flock. (She is VERY lonely at this time.)

Could someone help me with this?

 

[Mrs. K]

Well, she will not be nice to the new pullets, but because you are adding three to one, that will help. But there will be a dust up, however should not be terrible.

What does your run look like? Is it just an open rectangle, where as any chicken in the run can see all of the other chickens in the run? If so add some clutter: ladders, chairs, boxes, totes on the side, small pieces of plywood, roosts, pallets leaned against a wall or up on cement blocks. This allows chickens to get out of sight of each other, and allows you to have multiple feed places where a bird eating at one, cannot see a bird eating at another.

Then let the old bird out of the coop/run for the day, put the pullets in the coop/run for a day, if you can, feed along the fence. This allows the new birds to get familiar with the new place without being chased for their lives. Then as close to dark as possible, let the old bird in. The urge to roost will be nearly as powerful as the urge to fight.

Depending on the size of your coop, and its set up, sometimes it is helpful to add another roost, lower and out of reach of the top roost, where your old girl will reign until they new birds start to lay. They will not be one flock until the pullets start to lay, but should be able to be together. The young ones will be a sub flock.

Good luck,

Mrs K

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks! The pullets are 5 weeks old right now but I am bringing them outside on nice days and letting Blamo look at them/be near them. I was thinking of using the "see-but-don't-touch" method..... (as in: making a play pen in the middle of Blamo's run so they can be together but just not touch each other.)

Would that work as well? I really don't want any injuries!

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, that would work, but when you want to mix them together, remember that they have only explored their tiny pen. So when you open up the area, it will be scary to them. I think it is important for them to explore the area without being chased.

Another technique, that I use is one way gates. Where as an opening is small enough the chicks can pass through, but the bigger chicken cannot. This allows them to explore and be with her on their terms, not your terms. When they get brave, they go out, when they have had enough they have a place to retreat to. Hide out act the same way.

Be as cautious as you want, but truthfully, I am a little more relaxed with this and I do not think you will have any problems. To me, space is very important to chicks, it allows their muscles to develop and keeps them healthier. A lot of people keep them in too small of set up trying to keep them safe.

There are hundreds of ways to do chickens. No one way is right for all.

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

UNLESS - you have a very small area. That is the problem of online work, when I am giving advice, I am thinking of my own set up. So if you have a pretty cute pre-fab coop, and a very small run, then this can be more difficult, and you do need to be cautious .

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thank you so much Mrs. K! You are very helpful!

My coop is on the smaller side but I do have a big run. I was wondering if it's ok to have Blamo eat the chick food and vise versa??

 

[Mrs. K]

How small? As in measurements - as this is when most of the damage can be done.

And yes she can eat chick food, put some oyster shell on the side. The chicks won't touch it, and even the hen will only occasionally. I have mine in a old bird feeder, it lasts forever.

Mrs K