3Chickenlover3
In the Brooder
- Apr 10, 2016
- 37
- 0
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Should I put one of the old chickens to roost with the two new ones for the night on the second night the two new ones came?
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How do I know when it's time to move my new chickens in with my old ones on the roost? What signs are there that mean the new ones won't be killed and are accepted?
How old are the new chickens v old ones?
New ones are 8 months ish and the old ones are 2. The new ones are about a half inch smaller. Roosting time is always a bit of a defense/strategy time in my coop ... and the favorite spot is by the door/window to the run. One stakes out her spot early and doesn't move, another tries to push her way between and there's plenty of nudging - and that's just amongst the flock that knows each other!
My young pullets are interested in roosting but they get the stink eye from the big girls and sometimes chased off, so they still nest down either in their box (that the big ones can't get into) or, recently, a corner of the coop where everyone can see everyone else but there's a temporary truce.
How much roosting space do you have? There roost is big. I read its like 8 inches per bird, but I have to think thats in an established flock where pecking order is established.
Check frequently(every hour or two) for the next few days to see how things are going.I just put my two new chickens in with my old ones for good. The old ones aren't killing them, and I've been watching for a while! How long do I have to watch before I can leave them all together without me being there ?