Problems Introducing New Pullet

[Birdgirl99]

It might be a pecking order but if it is a roo [i think it is] you should make a little coop for him and half off the run for all chickens to play scratch and do what chickens do wait till about 20 weeks and put him or her by himself and if it lays an egg it's a girl if it crows it is a boy

 

[chic-a-deee]

If its a hen it'll lay an egg

That's funny!!!

Well the pullet is older now & his/her comb hasnt grown any more. Its still pretty small. I put her/him into the coop, close it off & let the others in the run. I figure it's going to be bigger than the others...so maybe then the others mite accept it into the flock coz its bigger than them. LOL
Thanks.....I'll keep u posted

 

[Birdgirl99]

OK that's great i really want to hear the end of this

 

[DianaMallory]

STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! I just went through this. I tried to introduce some new pullets to my flock way to fast! I didn't think or read anything about it before just putting all the birds together in the coop! It was ugly! My lead hen penned all five pullets in the corner and tried to stomp them to death! And this is what I learned after rehoming the new pullets. I should have separated them completely, for at least 4 weeks but have their runs side by side so they see each other everyday and get use to seeing each other. Then after 4 weeks and everyone is use to each other then at bed time put them in the coop were they are roosting so they wake up together. and go from there. If your pullet turns out to be a Roo. Then forget it! I was told Roosters will fight to their death to protect their flock!

 

[DianaMallory]

STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! I just went through this. I tried to introduce some new pullets to my flock way to fast! I didn't think or read anything about it before just putting all the birds together in the coop! It was ugly! My lead hen penned all five pullets in the corner and tried to stomp them to death! And this is what I learned after rehoming the new pullets. I should have separated them completely, for at least 4 weeks but have their runs side by side so they see each other everyday and get use to seeing each other. Then after 4 weeks and everyone is use to each other then at bed time put them in the coop were they are roosting so they wake up together. and go from there. If your pullet turns out to be a Roo. Then forget it! I was told Roosters will fight to their death to protect their flock!

I now have 5 week old chicks that got moved to the coop last night, but they are still separated from the 6 month old flock. I have to wait at least 3 more weeks until they can be put with the flock.

 

[NovaAman]

Hi... First off, it isn't a meat bird if it is 12 weeks... At 12 weeks that thing should be so heavy and large, and near to death. Might be a Rock though. I agree that it's probably a boy. I also think you have probably learned a very big lesson right now. Never to add just one bird. NEVER. I had chicks that I bought, brooded, and when it was time to go outside, I built another grow out coop for them. I didn't put them in with the established flock. Then they had a run so they could be seen but not hurt. When they hit about 10 weeks, they were allowed to start free ranging. They were near to four months old before any of them started to use the biggest coop, and that's because I had to move them nightly till they got it. Point being, even in small flocks, there is a pecking order. Your new bird comes in alone, he is targetted, and has no companion. Unless the other roo kicks the bucket, or this one kicks his butt, he'll continue to be low roo, and ostrasized. He should have been accepted by now if he was a she. Even the hens will peck on a cockerel who is not their main man. I'd find him a new home with no cockerel/roosters. JMO.

 

[chic-a-deee]

Oh really? Oh no. That's not the news I was hoping for. Yes, I didnt realize having a single chick was so bad.

Well I think now I have an additional problem....the pullet cant walk well. Her/his knees are knocking together & the gate of the walk is difficult. There is no back & forth neck movement. It almost looks like its marching. YOu can also hear each step on the concrete as it is heavy & clumsy. It wasnt like that about 2 weeks ago, so I dont know why suddenly this has happend. I feel really bad about this poor bird.....maybe because its a 'meat bird' (said pet store) it is now buckling under its own weight? The pullet doesnt appear bigger than the others...but the girth around its legs is much bigger. I am a person that does try to think about the animals welfare, but I am disappointed that I failed to think about the integration of the chick.

I have had the pullet separated but right next to the other 4 chickens & roo....& they dont seek it out to hurt it during free range time....they just dont like the pullet in the coop with them. This poor thing cant roost as well, it doesnt have much power in its toes.????so cant make a strong claw.

 

[DianaMallory]

If it is a meat bird what is the problem? Have someone butcher him or do it yourself unless you are a vegetarian.

 

[NovaAman]

If you have a scale, pick the bird up and weigh it. That'll really tell you then. If it seems like a bowling ball on feet, you really should do the humane thing, and put it down, either eat it, or bury it. Meat birds are not bred for long lives like a standard chicken. They are bred to get to weight in a very short period, say 8-10 weeks. You risk it breaking its own legs by roosting, you also risk it dying of heart attack because of how they are genetically inclined. If you can't process yourself, find a butcher who can do it near you.

So is the picture you posted a current picture or a picture from a few weeks ago?

 

[chic-a-deee]

That is a real shame re genetic engineering. How can mankind do that to animals? Money doesnt cut it in my book.

Yeah I guess we will have to put it down

Poor little thing.
It doesnt look very well atm. I'll take a pic & show you. She/he also sits down for long periods of time.
It isnt very heavy. I guess its just past its used by date. Chickens are animals that have feelings &
my duty is to look after them because we have made them the way they are now....so it certainly isnt my place to kill it &
eat it. She has a name & a place in the family. The petshop owner should have told me all about meat chickens cos I didlet her know I was
taking the chick for a pet...not food.




Well here is the poor thing. Her tail is always down, her feathers look dishevelled & she is always sitting. She is approx 16weeks old. Don't know if it is
a boy or girl. Does it look as if it is in the throws of decline?? She eats well & drinks. As you can see she is not really big & heavy. She is just a touch
smaller than our smallest red star layer. Her name is porcelain.