I introduced two nine to twelve week old Barred Rock pullets today to a little flock consisting of four Gold Comet hens, each being around 13 to 14 months old. My problem is that I have no additional space in which to keep the two pullets until the hens have adjusted to them. When I picked them up today I had no idea they would be so small; otherwise I would have purchased a laying hen instead. When the seller told me she had a few pullets I was under the impression they would be close to maturity instead of being weeks away. Chalk it up to inexperience. Right now I have all of them in their run, and so far so good. Aside from a peck here and there, then hens have let them be for the most part. Should I be concerned? When the hens go to roost tonight, should I place the pullets in the coop all the same? Please help.
I believe you should keep the new birds separated until your resident hens are sound asleep, and then place the pullets in the sleeping quarters.
Quote:I'll make sure to do it tonight. Thanks! The interesting thing is that they have separated themselves by choice, it seems. On one side of the run I see my four hens standing together; and on the other side I see the two pullets. Between them is about seven feet. Any other suggestions?
Typically the suggestion is to quarantine the new ones, but you've already put them together. So just keep a close eye on them to be sure that you catch any possible diseases early. I too, have small ones (7 wks) w/full grown hens and they stay separated and sneak into the coop when the others aren't looking and/or have already gone inside. Mine where raised by one of the big gals, but she is no longer concerned about them - they range totally on their own. So I'd say, keep an eye on them, but let them work things out. If you see super nasty stuff - put up a barrier between them. Just my two cents.
