Introducing pullets to old hen.

[Chief55]

I have 1 old hen about 8 years old and 6 pullets almost 11 weeks old. The pen the pullets are in has been up against the main pen the hen is in from the time the pullets were a couple of days old and the hen has walked around and layed down next to their pen every day. I am wondering when it should be safe to put the pullets in with that old hen. Her pen is large and can hold around 40 chickens comfortably so there would be no crowding. Just hesitant from not knowing how she will react.

 

[azygous]

Put them with the hen right now. She has already "adopted" them. She will likely take over their protection and feeding. The "lying down" by their brooding enclosure is the tell-tale.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know for sure what will happen either but it's time to find out. I see three possibilities.

1. She beats them up. So you separate them a while longer.

2. They get along great and intermingle. Life is good.

3. They get along but stay apart until the pullets mature. Life is good.

 

[Chief55]

Oh nice I thought possibly but just wasn't sure. Thank you for your help. I have only had experience with adding full grown hens to a flock never have added pullets under 15 weeks with any older hens. Was afraid they might be to young and she might kill them but I can stay in the pen and keep a eye on them for awhile.

 

[Chief55]

So this morning I tossed some 5 grain scratch and some meal worms into the main pen and let the pullets loose into the pen with the old hen everything went fine they are all getting along with no chasing or pecking. One of the amberlinks got silly and ran up and chest butted her but she just looked at it like it had lost it's mind and did not seem to get mad. So all is well and I can relax now. Thank you for the help.