Mixing 6-7 week old pullets with 6yo hen

[Heymac08]

Hi there!

So this last weekend, our favorite of our two hens passed away. We are thinking it was from the heat wave that came through.

This has left us with one lonely hen who is clearly sad, so we wanted to get her some friends to keep her company. I found someone local who has 7 week old pullets for sale. Out of the ones he has available, we were thinking a buff Orpington and a Crevecoeur. They are already being raised outside and without a heat lamp.

what would be the best way to introduce the new pullets?

Also - I was looking at getting 2 6 week old silkies (who are still inside the breeders home).... not sure of how to introduce these either.

Any and all advice is welcome! We inherited the two chickens with the house we purchased, so we are still very new to chicken raising.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

They best way to do what your doing is supervised free range time. Let them both out to play, do this for many days, until they seem to be getting along well. Put them in for supervised run time when you feel comfortable, and eventually let them sleep together. You may want a separate pen in the coop for the chicks.

 

[sourland]

Introducing the silkies might be problematic as big chickens pick on small and strange looking chickens. Silkies raised in large fowl flock generally do well, but integration with strange birds can be difficult. Why not get four large fowl ?

 

[Heymac08]

They best way to do what your doing is supervised free range time. Let them both out to play, do this for many days, until they seem to be getting along well. Put them in for supervised run time when you feel comfortable, and eventually let them sleep together. You may want a separate pen in the coop for the chicks.

Would a dog kennel work for this situation? Could I just put some shavings in there with a bowl of water and a bowl of feed?

 

[ILoveBabySilkies]

Introducing the silkies might be problematic as big chickens pick on small and strange looking chickens. Silkies raised in large fowl flock generally do well, but integration with strange birds can be difficult. Why not get four large fowl ?

I agree, I don’t think silkies would be the best move at least not for integration with large fowl.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Would a dog kennel work for this situation? Could I just put some shavings in there with a bowl of water and a bowl of feed?

Yep, that could work great!

 

[Heymac08]

Introducing the silkies might be problematic as big chickens pick on small and strange looking chickens. Silkies raised in large fowl flock generally do well, but integration with strange birds can be difficult. Why not get four large fowl ?

Ive always wanted silkies Bc they are so cute and awkward looking.... is it really a bad idea?

 

[ILoveBabySilkies]

Ive always wanted silkies Bc they are so cute and awkward looking.... is it really a bad idea?

It’s not the worst idea… but you would have to be a lot more attentive and careful with the silkies and really make sure they don’t get hurt because they are such easy targets.

 

[Heymac08]

I agree, I don’t think silkies would be the best move at least not for integration with large fowl.

could I raise them indoors for a bit until they get bigger, or is it just a really not ideal?

 

[sourland]

It's a great idea as silkies are neat creatures, but have a 'Plan B' in mind in case they get beat up/picked on. Separate pens or coops may be eventually needed.