BrianV
In the Brooder
Hi all,
A few weeks ago, I purchased a mixed flock of 6 laying hens, 10 10-week pullets and a rooster ('Rufus' or 'Doofus' depending on the situation). They were previously free ranging at the farm where I bought them.
I've kept them in the coop for 8 or 9 days, and let them out for the first time yesterday. What quickly became apparent is that I have two groups of chickens:
The rooster basically ignored the pullets, and they ignored him. He was good about keeping the hens rounded up. If he found food, he'd call them over and they'd scurry back. An evil airplane when overhead, he called and they scrambled for cover. However, the pullets did not respond whatsoever to a single thing he did.
Anything I should be doing different to keep them more cohesive, or to encourage the pullets to follow the flock a bit more?
A few weeks ago, I purchased a mixed flock of 6 laying hens, 10 10-week pullets and a rooster ('Rufus' or 'Doofus' depending on the situation). They were previously free ranging at the farm where I bought them.
I've kept them in the coop for 8 or 9 days, and let them out for the first time yesterday. What quickly became apparent is that I have two groups of chickens:
- My rooster and the 6 laying hens stuck together. The rooster kept them all within eyesight, would keep them gathered, watch over them.
- The 10 pullets went all over the place, mostly as a group, but there was very little cohesion even among themselves.
The rooster basically ignored the pullets, and they ignored him. He was good about keeping the hens rounded up. If he found food, he'd call them over and they'd scurry back. An evil airplane when overhead, he called and they scrambled for cover. However, the pullets did not respond whatsoever to a single thing he did.
Anything I should be doing different to keep them more cohesive, or to encourage the pullets to follow the flock a bit more?