Only 2 chickens and 1 is a rooster

[Alaskan]

But DEFINITELY keep an eye on them and just see.

You should know within 2 minutes if it is a horrible idea... or a good one.

If they don't do well together, wait a week and try again.

Or... if they aren't too bad together, just not great, try @NatJ 'S suggestion.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

You never know.

I had one full grown hen that needed nursing one winter. And then I had a single hen that needed heat... so I put her with a set of chicks I had. She wasn't broody, didn't try to mother them.

The hen still felt off and weak, and so was happy to just sit and zone out with the chicks.

They did great together. By the time the chicks were ready to be on the cold coop without heat, she was too, so they were able to integrate all together.

Awesome!!...so when the chicks are a little older should I put her in with the chicks or take the chicks outside?

 

[Alaskan]

Awesome!!...so when the chicks are a little older should I put her in with the chicks or take the chicks outside?

Depends on what kind of setup you have.

I would actually bring the hen inside to look at the chicks.

Just see if her first instinct is to kill them, or to ignore them.

Once you know what her thoughts are you can decide if you need a screened off section in the coop for the "look don't touch" method, or @NatJ 's suggestion of the creeper gate, or... if you can just toss them all together.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Depends on what kind of setup you have.

I would actually bring the hen inside to look at the chicks.

Just see if her first instinct is to kill them, or to ignore them.

Once you know what her thoughts are you can decide if you need a screened off section in the coop for the "look don't touch" method, or @NatJ 's suggestion of the creeper gate, or... if you can just toss them all together.

Ohhh... okay. Well, I think I will give it another week or so. Right now the chicks are in the garage. I am constructing a 75 ft run that will hopefully be done tomorrow..its inside our yard that also has a privacy fence. I have 2 coops but only one is being used so I can section them off if i need to.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Option 1 - Send Stella with Tex so they stay together and start over with just those chicks.

Option 2 - Stella is 18 weeks old, I'm guessing Tex is too. Cockerels mature at different rates, so do pullets. Many 18 week old cockerels would already be so hyped up on hormones that if you were going to have overmating and such issues you would be seeing them. You are not. It could still happen but it is also possible that it will never happen. Go by what you see. Keep the two together until you see issues, if you ever do. Integrate the new chicks as you can. Deal with the reality of what you are seeing, not some mythical mystical event that may never happen. But have a space prepared so you can separate them if you need to. A dog crate or dog cage can work in a pinch as it is temporary. You need an emergency pen anyway so just be prepared.

Option 3 - Send Tex away and try to integrate the chicks with Stella. Nothing wrong with this approach either if it suits your goals.

I do not recommend getting more pullets Stella's age, whether you keep or send Tex. That just complicates things and you have an extra integration to manage. Try to keep it simple.

 

[Finnie]

You have been given some great suggestions, and I think you (and Stella) are going to do just fine!

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Option 1 - Send Stella with Tex so they stay together and start over with just those chicks.

Option 2 - Stella is 18 weeks old, I'm guessing Tex is too. Cockerels mature at different rates, so do pullets. Many 18 week old cockerels would already be so hyped up on hormones that if you were going to have overmating and such issues you would be seeing them. You are not. It could still happen but it is also possible that it will never happen. Go by what you see. Keep the two together until you see issues, if you ever do. Integrate the new chicks as you can. Deal with the reality of what you are seeing, not some mythical mystical event that may never happen. But have a space prepared so you can separate them if you need to. A dog crate or dog cage can work in a pinch as it is temporary. You need an emergency pen anyway so just be prepared.

Option 3 - Send Tex away and try to integrate the chicks with Stella. Nothing wrong with this approach either if it suits your goals.

I do not recommend getting more pullets Stella's age, whether you keep or send Tex. That just complicates things and you have an extra integration to manage. Try to keep it simple.

Thank you. I Do not plan on getting any her age. Honestly they are not easy to find and chicks are much cheaper. I think I will keep Tex as long as possible. They are the same age. I got them at the same time hoping I would have pullets but surprise! I love Tex. So far he isn't acting crazy and I do not want to split them up but ultimately want to do what is best for all of them.