Just an introduction to new little ones

aquabum · Nov 21, 2018

Well, some of my older hens, (I have 6) have stopped laying or maybe giving an egg every once in a blue moon. I was going to eat/rehome and replace. Except the oldest hen is Fluffy Foot. She's a Fluffy Footed Cochin that my middle child named and was one of our first chickens. My daughter was a little upset but understood. I teach mine the circle of life!

But the softy in me just couldn't do it I guess. I always said, I'd not keep chickens as pets. Once egg production goes away, they get eaten or at the minimum re-homed to the old lady place!

Well, after a long day yesterday and some luck, I found 12 3-4 week old chicks around the corner from me. SO I started extending my run and built a brooder box out of scrap wood. They are now tucked away in there and came out today to investigate the cool morning and eat before heading back in to get warm.

Six EE and Six Buff Orpingtons.

We'll see how many are roos. I'm not going to keep all of them. My run and coop is maxed out at 16 chickens. This would put me at 19. I have a Rooster already too. So I may keep another rooster out of this flock. But they are separated by a wire wall where everyone can see each other.

Got done in the dark by head lamp last night.

DobieLover · Nov 21, 2018

Congratulations on your additions!
Don't consider yourself a softie. That older girl can be a real asset raising your future flocks. Chicks raised by chickens get off to a much better start as they are taught all the things a chicken needs to know to survive. Keep her. Rehome or eat the others and raise new pullets each spring to keep you in eggs.

aquabum · Nov 21, 2018

First venture out this morning. I'm trying the early introduction to the other flock with the see but don't touch method. Got down to about 37 last night here in NW Florida. But they did fine! They are coming out to eat and drink and go back in to warm up a little and then rinse and repeat. Should be in the upper 60's to low 70's during in the day.

The other chickens are squawking like crazy at them. And the rooster is going nuts!

Folly's place · Nov 21, 2018

Cute babies! I agree that having older birds helps the younglings learn how to get along, so keep at least your favorites, and get some chicks at least every other year.
Then there's 'chicken math'!
Mary

aquabum · Nov 21, 2018

My other flock is a mixture of no two of the same breed. But here's Fluffy Foot (Fluffy Foot Cochin). She had a purple foot where the other's where eating her foot feathers for a while.