Rehoming pullets

[RanchRichey]

This is our first chick raising experience. We are I a pretty suburban area and have a limit of 4-6 hens. We started with 9 chicks expecting some to die/be roosters and have friends who will gladly take any extra hens.
Looks like we got pretty lucky so far with only 1 Roo, but will need to get rid of at least 2 more pullets.
They are about 8 weeks now, but I'd like to wait a few more weeks to be sure we don't have any more Roos.
Is it better for the pullets to go to their new flock before a certain she?

 

[ChickNanny13]

It really don't matter what age you rehome, it's the introduction into an existing flock that takes time & patience. When adding more than one new pullet to a flock is "easier" as the flock won't fixate on just one, multiples are distracting. Not sure I explained that right but I'm sure others will be peeping in.

 

[azygous]

ChickNanny is right. When I rehome, I try to find out what the flock situation is where they will be going. If it's a young cockerel I'm putting out for adoption, I try to wait until he's gained enough size and self confidence where he won't be overwhelmed.

I've rehomed pullets and they are usually around six weeks old and able to manage without any heat. They are still small enough where they won't be considered any real threat by the adults in the new flock, though they would still need careful integration, and you need to make sure the new owner know how to do it safely. (I recommend the panic room method.)

 

[teach1rusl]

The plus side of you having to rehome three birds is that at least they'll have familiar flockmates! Plus, if there are three of them, they are a bit less likely to be bullied when in the new flock. The longer you can wait before rehoming the better - as their larger size will help with not being beat up so much. Do talk with whomever you re-home them to about integration through wire at first, so that the new flock can accept them easier (as azygous suggested).

 

[donrae]

At 8 weeks, you can post pics and we can set your mind at ease as to genders.

 

[RanchRichey]

Thanks for all the advice. I will try to post pics this week. Like I said, I am actually fairly certain that 8 of the 9 are pullets, but would hate to give up a pullet only to discover I kept a late blooming roo