Pullets between 6-10 weeks old

[coffeecatrock]

I will be receiving two adolescent pullets (one black australorp and one silver penciled plymouth rock), hopefully next week which I am SUPER excited about. I have organic food and an omlet "eglu go" coop and run. The place I bought the chickens from classifies "adolescent" as between 6-10 weeks. The most important question I have is, can they go directly to their coop or not? These will be my FIRST chickens ever. I have found it difficult to find information regarding bringing home chickens this age for the first time. I live in north eastern Ohio where temps will be in the 70's with lows in the 50's next week. I should mention I also purchased oyster shells, diatomaeious earth and grit.

Thanks

 

[junebuggena]

They should be fine to go into their coop as long as they have most of their feathers in. Do not give oyster shells until they start laying. You can seriously harm them by giving additional calcium too early.

 

[WindyHillFarm]

They should be fine to go into their coop as long as they have most of their feathers in. Do not give oyster shells until they start laying. You can seriously harm them by giving additional calcium too early.

x2! You can give them other treats...little chopped up veggies are good. Congrats on your chickies!

 

[coffeecatrock]

Thanks! I hadn't planned on giving them the shells until they started laying.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Thanks! I hadn't planned on giving them the shells until they started laying.

- on that same note, what formula feed have you purchased? For the age they will be you want to be offering a "grower" ration.
At the age they will be they can go right out in the coop. I would, however, encourage you to consider a third bird. Having three or more lessens the chance of ending up with a lone bird should something unfortunate happen within the flock (illness, predator issue, etc) that would cause the death of a bird.

 

[coffeecatrock]

I bought natures best organic poultry pullet developer feed. We wanted a third bird, but wanted to see how the two we purchased would fit in our coop, which isn't recommended for more than two larger breed chickens. I also wanted to make sure it was safe to mix the feed I purchased, should I have any remaining (I bought a 50lb bag) with laying feed when the time comes.