Need advice!

[mlmelton]

My daughter’s science teacher hatched eggs in class and in anyone who had permission could take baby chicks home. I told my daughter she could get 3. Well, two of them are roosters and only one is a hen. I really only wanted hens. I have a friend who is willing to take the roosters, but I kind of feel bad for the hen. Should I let her go with the roosters since she’s been with them from birth and start with new chicks? Or will she adjust fine on her own with new hens who are about her age? I know I’m overthinking this. Just wondered what some others think!

 

[mlmelton]

I did not mean for the tag to be hatching! Sorry!

 

[swamphiker]

It might take a little while, but your hen will integrate nicely with additional hens. Chickens have a literally pecking order hierarchy, so don't be too distressed if there is some pecking/chasing at first.

 

[FrostRanger]

Keep her. She'll likely need to be separated from the boys anyways 'cause cockerels mature faster than pullets and they can stress them out or even hurt them with their breeding attempts. She might wonder about them for a day or 2, if that, but she'll be just fine

 

[SilverBirds]

I did not mean for the tag to be hatching! Sorry!

The hatching bit is your title. It changes when you get a certain number of points. Points are received when you start threads, make posts, react to other people's posts, and more.

 

[mlmelton]

Keep her. She'll likely need to be separated from the boys anyways 'cause cockerels mature faster than pullets and they can stress them out or even hurt them with their breeding attempts. She might wonder about them for a day or 2, if that, but she'll be just fine

Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd say it's up to you. I don't know what your facilities look like (which can impact ease of integration) or what restrictions you have (if any) on things like flock size. It might be easier to just rehome the trio with your friend and start over with a batch of sexed chicks or started pullets.

 

[Mrs. K]

What Rosemarythyme says are valid points. But don't feel you have to give her with the roos because they are BFF. Chickens really do not do BFF. And a single pullet with two cockerels will definitely not be BFF.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What Rosemarythyme says are valid points. But don't feel you have to give her with the roos because they are BFF. Chickens really do not do BFF. And a single pullet with two cockerels will definitely not be BFF.

Agreed - I wasn't so concerned with the idea that the pullet had to stay with her hatchmates as "friends," the suggestion was more along the lines of avoiding having to integrate an older pullet with younger ones. This is of course assuming the friend who'd take the cockerels has an existing flock where the pullet will eventually be joining other females as well, not a bachelor pad set up.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

A pullet is not going to be attached to two cockerels and would be happy to see them gone. Pullets for awhile are usually afraid of the boys because they sexually mature much slower than the cockerels. So it’s really up to you. If you are attached to her keep her and integrate her with some new pullets. If you aren’t attached and don’t want to deal with any integration squabbles re-home her with the boys then get a new trio of hens.