Introducing a pullet

[lfoose]

I have a 5 month old pullet that has been in the house since hatching. The last couple of months she roams the house w/a diaper on. I'd like to kick her out into the coop w/the rest of them but the cold weather concerns me. Will going from a 72 degree house to a 20 degree coop cause a problem? I will of course give her a fenced area w/a heat lamp until she is used to the coop. Is that good enough or should I wait til the weather warms a bit?

 

[joedie]

I'd be more worried about her thinking she is human and not wanting to be with chickens!

I wouldn't worry about her, she's fully feathered and can keep warm but I'd keep her in a seperate cage within the coop until the rest get use to her or slip her in on the roost at night while the others are sleeping. Then just keep an eye on her to make sure she's not getting beaten up!

 

[thechickenchick]

She will be fine. By providing the lamp as you said you will condition her for the colder environment. In no time at all she will be running around with the rest of them. Just keep an eye on her, make sure she is eating and pooing normally. It will definitely be a change to her system, but as long as she is healthy she should adjust in no time. Good luck.

 

[chicks4kids]

I want to see her in her diaper!

 

[lfoose]

I wouldn't mind keeping her in but she is very active and very noisey. She's ripped apart our Monopoly boardgame box, killed a bag of potatoes and feathers everywhere! She is not the clean and peaceful girl we already have in the house, Goofy. Both are Silkie mixes but totally different.

Here is a pic of her sitting by the fire. Can't see the diaper but she has one.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/lfoose/lucky2.jpg