Introducing chickens (mother and chick and separate pullets)

[Jen81]

This is Salt (Araucana X) and her adopted chick Vanilla Bean (light Sussex). She’s been a great mother. They currently sleep in a smaller coop with mini built in run in the covered larger run. Vanilla bean is now 4 weeks old and I’ve been letting them out for the day and putting them back into their little coop at night. The whole flock has accepted Vanilla Bean. She walks around them and they honestly don’t bother her thanks to Salt who has been an excellent mother brave enough to even let the 2 top hens know not to mess with her. One night I finished work late and my kids had forgotten to put Salt and Vanilla Bean in their little coop for the night ( I keep it closed during the day so the other laying hens don’t go in and eat the medicated chick starter). She and her chick just went in the main coop in her regular spot on the roost with all the other hens (3rd pic) although she didn’t seem very impressed giving me that side eye.

Question 1:
when can I let them be 100% full time with the flock? The flock are eating a 17% protein layer crumble feed. Can the 4 week chick move onto this? I can’t see how I can separate the food without giving them separation from the flock like I am currently.

Question 2:
When can I integrate purchased pullets into the main coop? Before or after mother and chick or all at the same time? I don’t know how the pullets would react to Vanilla Bean but I know Salt will keep her safe.

I have 4 pullets bought from a breeder in a separate coop with run next to the main flock they have been there for a month in quarantine they are aged approximately 14 -22 weeks old. The youngest is a pekin but she holds her own with the other 3. The main flock have seen them in this area.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'd leave the hen and chick with the flock now. I would switch all feeds over to a non medicated chick starter with a separate bowl for the calcium needs. You can also feed an all flock ration year round. I would also work on integrating the other young ones. The older they get the harder it can be, so the sooner the better. Chicks are seen as normal additions to a flock. Older chicks closer to maturity will be seen as intruders.