Need advice on successfully adding Polish top knots to 5 week old flock

[cacklemama]

My original flock consisted of 13 chicks ( 4 brown leghorns, 3 easter eggers, 3 silver laced wynadotties and 3 light brahmas) 5 weeks old. When they were 4 weeks old a friend surprised me with not 1 but 2 polish top knots from a local farm breeder. I mentioned I would have like to purchased them when I got the original 13. She was told they were 3 weeks old and when I inquired was told the same. I think one is actually younger because one of them as a feathered head and the other 75% fluff. the larger polish at times pecks at the smaller ones tail feather. How do I intervene in that? I had them separated for a week (they were vaccinated) they were eating well and were active. I called the hatchery were I purchased the 13 and was informed if I had a partition I could put them in the same area. So first I moved into view for 2 days then placed a partition in the large brooder were the 13 are kept. The 13 were curious at first and now they really don't pay much attention to them. Today I removed all 13 and the 2 polish placed 1 polish and my smallest EE in the brooder and the EE went right after the larger one of the polish and distracted the EE for a bit but soon the EE was right back at it. I'm unsure of the sex of the EE I ordered all hens, with 90% accuracy but they are to young to sex yet I was told. Of course I replaced the partition and all is well. HELP!!! I only have 1 coop with a enclosed run I need them to be nice. Any suggestions ?????? Attached is a picture of the 2 polish and the EE any info about the sex of them would be welcomed also. I'm waiting another week (6weeks) to post all 15 with side shots hopefully to get some sexing info. I know the post is long but I'm new to chicken raising and want to do the best I can.

 

[N F C]

I've only had 1 Polish (he was a "free exotic" from the hatchery I got other chicks from). Once that top knot started growing out, the other chicks were on him all the time. Chickens don't seem to care for birds that are different and that bit of feathers on the head made an easy target for plucking. I had to keep poor Kramer separate from the others for the rest of his time with us.

One of our fantastic mods has a lot of Polish experience, I'll tag her and see what she has to offer in the way of advice: @Yorkshire Coop

Best of luck to you!

 

[cacklemama]

I've only had 1 Polish (he was a "free exotic" from the hatchery I got other chicks from). Once that top knot started growing out, the other chicks were on him all the time. Chickens don't seem to care for birds that are different and that bit of feathers on the head made an easy target for plucking. I had to keep poor Kramer separate from the others for the rest of his time with us.

One of our fantastic mods has a lot of Polish experience, I'll tag her and see what she has to offer in the way of advice: @Yorkshire Coop

Best of luck to you!

I hope they don't have to be separate. I dont have the means to do that . thanks for directing this to someone that may be able to help.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi @cacklemama

Your two polish are certainly different ages. The smaller one I would say is about 1-2 weeks max, more likely nearer the 1 week mark I’m afraid. The larger one about 3 weeks I guess. It’s way too early to sex the polish, they can take forever to show their true gender. At least 8-12 weeks to know for sure. They are a really difficult breed to sex.

I am sorry to tell you that yes you may need to keep the polish separate. I’m not saying that’s a definite but it’s a possibility. Polish are a breed that often get picked on by other breeds due to their crests. The crest can limit vision for them making them an easy target for more dominant birds in the flock. Their crest can also attract a lot of unwanted attention from other birds as it’s so beautiful other birds can’t help but peck at it.

For now I would keep your polish next to the others so they can see each other If possible so they can become acquainted.
Keep them like this as long as you can especially for your smallest polish as right now it’s likely to get attacked by the older birds. I’m afraid it really will be playing it by ear with how they get along. Sometimes polish do ok in a mixed flock but it depends on the individual birds and their character.

Good luck and I hope you can get them all intergrated once the polish are bigger

 

[N F C]

Thanks for sharing your expertise Kim!

 

[cacklemama]

• Hi @cacklemama

Your two polish are certainly different ages. The smaller one I would say is about 1-2 weeks max, more likely nearer the 1 week mark I’m afraid. The larger one about 3 weeks I guess. It’s way too early to sex the polish, they can take forever to show their true gender. At least 8-12 weeks to know for sure. They are a really difficult breed to sex.

I am sorry to tell you that yes you may need to keep the polish separate. I’m not saying that’s a definite but it’s a possibility. Polish are a breed that often get picked on by other breeds due to their crests. The crest can limit vision for them making them an easy target for more dominant birds in the flock. Their crest can also attract a lot of unwanted attention from other birds as it’s so beautiful other birds can’t help but peck at it.

For now I would keep your polish next to the others so they can see each other If possible so they can become acquainted.
Keep them like this as long as you can especially for your smallest polish as right now it’s likely to get attacked by the older birds. I’m afraid it really will be playing it by ear with how they get along. Sometimes polish do ok in a mixed flock but it depends on the individual birds and their character.

Good luck and I hope you can get them all intergrated once the polish are bigger

Hi @cacklemama

Your two polish are certainly different ages. The smaller one I would say is about 1-2 weeks max, more likely nearer the 1 week mark I’m afraid. The larger one about 3 weeks I guess. It’s way too early to sex the polish, they can take forever to show their true gender. At least 8-12 weeks to know for sure. They are a really difficult breed to sex.

I am sorry to tell you that yes you may need to keep the polish separate. I’m not saying that’s a definite but it’s a possibility. Polish are a breed that often get picked on by other breeds due to their crests. The crest can limit vision for them making them an easy target for more dominant birds in the flock. Their crest can also attract a lot of unwanted attention from other birds as it’s so beautiful other birds can’t help but peck at it.

For now I would keep your polish next to the others so they can see each other If possible so they can become acquainted.
Keep them like this as long as you can especially for your smallest polish as right now it’s likely to get attacked by the older birds. I’m afraid it really will be playing it by ear with how they get along. Sometimes polish do ok in a mixed flock but it depends on the individual birds and their character.

Good luck and I hope you can get them all intergrated once the polish are bigger

1. Thank you for the information. The polish I've had for 2 weeks now so im guessing they are about a week apart or would you say 2. I will keep you posted about my progress. This is how they are becoming acquainted.