Intronucing a runt

[Studio2770]

I've introduced new chickens to our flock once before. This time is a bit different. One of our young three pullets is a runt. All three are about a month old. They've been living in the chicken run and have been able to see the older ones. They get to roam with the older ones often. I'm not sure when to integrate them though since there's a runt. When have other integrated a runt into an older flock?

 

[Chook Kingdom]

I let a runt Australorp run with the hens at three weeks. What are your hens like? Some of mine are aggressive, but the chick was never touched. Don't free range it, runts seem to be a little slow. My runt was killed by a crow at week 7 because it thought it was mama.

 

[Studio2770]

I let a runt Australorp run with the hens at three weeks. What are your hens like? Some of mine are aggressive, but the chick was never touched. Don't free range it, runts seem to be a little slow. My runt was killed by a crow at week 7 because it thought it was mama.

I have 4 white leghorns and an EE. 2 leghorns are a bit pecky, and so is the EE at times. I supervise when they are let out. They stay close to me. Our runt is quick, very attentive. All three youngins have been pecked at.

 

[Chook Kingdom]

Well, he should be okay. I have 6 Leghorn hens and 50 other chickens and my dumb runt was okay. The hens will just hackle the chicks, but shouldn't injure them. That is good that he's attentive. Try it for a day and see what happens at night.

 

[aart]

I don't think a runt is much different than integrating any other chicks....play it by eye and observation.

 

[Studio2770]

I don't think a runt is much different than integrating any other chicks....play it by eye and observation.

I've read that introducing bantams into a standard size flock could present more challenges so I was wondering if a runt would be similar.

 

[Chook Kingdom]

I don't know why it would be different. I mix in bantams and runts whenever and nothing ever happens