Only one established pullet...can I introduce 2 younger ones?

[meadrian]

have one lonely 20 week old pullet. She's been alone for 3 weeks now. I've read about new introductions, but haven't found an answer to this.

After the quarantine period, can I introduce 2 8 week old pullets to the one 20 week extablished pullet?

I know introductions are usually into an established flock, but this is to one sole pullet. Usually they should be similar in size, but if there is only one that's established should that make a difference???

Thanks!

 

[jrleader99]

This is my first year with chickens so I can only tell you from my introduction of my various aged birds. I started with about 11 chickens and then bought 6 chickens from TSC twice. The additional 12 chicks were about 11 and 12 weeks younger than the first set. I placed the younger chicks in a dog cage in the coop with the older ones once they started to feather out and the weather was getting warmer. They were in the dog cage for about a month or so just as an introductory period. I then would let the younger birds out of the cage for short periods of time while I was in there with them. Eventually I ended up leaving the cages open during the day and separated them at night. This lasted until one night I went in and found all 23 birds jammed pack into the dog cage with the chick feeder and waterer knocked over. At that point I had it and let them stay out all of the time together. This seemed to work out OK for me.

Again like I first said this is my first year with chickens so take my experience with a grain of salt.

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

Expect some pecking order scrapping on introducing the new birds.

There is no reason why you can't introduce new chooks at any time to a flock.

Just keep an eye on them and break up serious fights.

it may take a while, but they will eventually settle down & accept the new additions.

 

[meadrian]

Thanks. Experience is always useful!