Mixing Ages?

[PoultryQueen29]

I am thinking of getting one frizzle mix pullet next year that will be hatched in the spring. I have a barred rock pullet and an EE pullet right now that were hatched 9/28/11. Would they get along with the frizzle mix if it is so much younger?

 

[PoultryQueen29]

Anyone?

 

[Fred's Hens]

I find that introducing new birds is stressful to the existing order of things. You'd likely want to wait until your new bird(s) are of the same size and maturity as the full grown hens. Then, follow all the normal procedures for integration. You'll need a place to raise the new ones. Just a singular nubie puts all the attention on just one and that can be tough. If the new one is a bantam and the old guard is large fowl, that too is not a fair fight. Chickens can and do work things out, but it is sometimes not as easy as we think it should be.

 

[PoultryQueen29]

Ok. So it will be a problem that the new one will be far from laying while the others are laying? I dont have a separate pen or anything and I dont plan on building one.

 

[AshleyW]

I recently added a few chickens to my flock and I just keep them separated with some fence inside the coop for a few days so they see each other. It works out for me most of the time with very little fighting.

 

[PoultryQueen29]

The problem is I have one coop with their food and water with a little doorway for the chickens so I cant keep them separate without locking them out of the coop.

 

[Johnn]

My oldest chicken is 5 year old and youngest 24 weeks and the rest all range in between and they get along fine

 

[coonhoundmama87]

I have a coop with mixed ages right now for the winter months (we free range and had a few late hatches who were becoming hawk bait). The older do pick on the younger at times but they'll adjust. I have areas that the bigger birds can't get into but the younger ones can, that helps. Yes, in ideal world you would want them the same age but the younger one will grow up and it will work out in the end.

 

[PoultryQueen29]

Ok thanks guys