Just got new pullets, any suggestions?

[lmadeline146]

4 of our 18wk pullets unfortunately passed away due to a raccoon attack last week. With only 6 pullets left and a large coop and run, we decided to get another 3 pullets. Two of them are EE’s and one is a Mystic Maran. Currently, we have them in a crate inside of our flock’s coop that is big enough for all of them to roam around. We don’t know when we should take them out and when we should give them food if they stay in the crate. Any suggestions? The pullets are the siblings of the pullets we already had.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Put food and water in the crate, and keep them in there for the day at least, maybe overnight and tomorrow, too - depending on weather. Have they been separated from their flock-mates for very long? In any case, there will be a new pecking-order - but it shouldn't hard for them. After a day or two in the crate exposed to the other birds, after dark, place them on the roosts with the other birds. When they get around in the morning, the others will think the newbies have always been there.

 

[DobieLover]

Please post pictures of your setup with all birds present.
The 3 new crated birds need to have food and water in with them. An integration takes weeks. The "look don't touch" period should be at least a week long.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

The pullets are the siblings of the pullets we already had.

..... and keep them in there for the day at least, maybe overnight and tomorrow, too - depending on weather. Have they been separated from their flock-mates for very long?

An integration takes weeks. The "look don't touch" period should be at least a week long.

This is why we need Imadeline146 to let us know how long the pullets have been separated from their flock-mates.
Since little chicks? Then yes, a week-long LDT period.
For a week or so? Might be no separation needed at all, but err on the side of caution.

 

[lmadeline146]

This is why we need Imadeline146 to let us know how long the pullets have been separated from their flock-mates.
Since little chicks? Then yes, a week-long LDT period.
For a week or so? Might be no separation needed at all, but err on the side of caution.

They’ve been separated for about 10wks. We recieved them at 8wks old.

 

[Mrs. K]

So they are all 18 weeks old? Is there any chance you can let them out into the yard?

I am a firm believer in if at all possible, letting the new birds in the coop/run area for several hours without the original birds there. This lets them explore, find the hideouts, extra feed bowls, roosts, the coop without being chased for their lives.
Then as close to dark let the 'original birds' in.

Watch, if you have a wicked bird, put that one in the crate. Letting the rest be together, after a day or two, let the mean one out and monitor.

Mrs K