Rooster and hens together or separate coops at night?

[JacinLarkwell]

No, but certain colors or patterns can obscure the identifying characteristics in newly hatched chicks. For example, with barred sexlinks it can be difficult to see the head spot that indicates barring (and therefore male) on colors other than black. For red sexlinks some patterns, like lacing, can make it challenging to be certain whether a chick is silver(male) or gold(female) until the feathers start coming in. So while they do have the correct indicators, it may not be obvious until the chick is a little older.

Gotcha. I thought you were saying that you could get a barred female in a sexlink crossing (or the opposite for whatever sexlink pair you would do)

 

[Mrs. K]

At there ages they need to be outside. Chickens need fresh air and sunshine. And they need a lot of space to run around in. Often times new people to chicken try and keep them safe in a small space with the best intentions, but it is not good for them.

I would get him in the coop, ASAP. And at the temperatures that you stated, your pullets can go outside too. I would keep the rooster separate from the pullets until they begin to lay. Cockerels just do not do well with pullets, where as an older rooster often times will be fine.

Mrs K

 

[bakersdozenroo]

At there ages they need to be outside. Chickens need fresh air and sunshine. And they need a lot of space to run around in. Often times new people to chicken try and keep them safe in a small space with the best intentions, but it is not good for them.

I would get him in the coop, ASAP. And at the temperatures that you stated, your pullets can go outside too. I would keep the rooster separate from the pullets until they begin to lay. Cockerels just do not do well with pullets, where as an older rooster often times will be fine.

Mrs K

Thank you for the advice. We agree that he needs to be out in his coop. We are cleaning it up today and hopefully getting him out there either today or tomorrow.

The pullets can go out too? They don’t need the heating plate anymore? I don’t know if they are big enough to get up the ladder into the coop or get on the nesting bars? I’ll check out their coop and see.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How old are the chicks now?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

And what are your day/night temps?

 

[bakersdozenroo]

How old are the chicks now?

They are 2 weeks

 

[bakersdozenroo]

And what are your day/night temps?

our nighttime lows are in the mid 70s, our daytime highs are in the upper 80s/low 90s. I live in the piedmont area of NC.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would think they can go outside without an external heat source at those temps but I'd ask somebody like @Debbie292d for confirmation. If they do get cold they can huddle together for warmth. I can't remember actually if they need another week to get more fully feathered. Debbie?

 

[Mrs. K]

At those temperature they should be fine. I would put them out. Outside generally means more space = more exercise.

Beware though of heat, as in too much heat. Check your shade all day long, and make sure that there is shade all day long. It moves. My own run is delightfully shady all morning, but full sun in the pm. I arrange walls to give shade in the afternoon.

Mrs K

 

[bakersdozenroo]

Thank you so much everyone for all the great information. I may actually move them because I actually went in tonight to go and make sure their water was clean before they went to bed and I found them all huddle together (NOT under the heating plate anymore). They are actually sleeping next to the mesh opening that faces the cockerel. The cockerel is sleeping in his side of the crate next to the pullets. Hopefully this is a good sign that they are going to get along and that I can move them outside. Here is some pictures of tonight.