My neighbor has a broody hen who is being very persistant, so she decided to give her a few eggs. The other night I went to go candle them for her, and all 3 are developing. She offered for me to take them if they hatch, because she doesn't want any more chickens. I have been missing having little babies running around, and I would LOVE to take them, but I am worried about having to introduce them to my flock when they get older. I believe the chicks will be D'uccles.
In my previous flock, I would intergrade 3-6 new birds once or twice a year. There was always a TON of fuss for the first few weeks, then the new birds would always become the shy little outcasts, and I always felt SO bad for them! I was wondering of maybe it was just the breed of the older hens? We had 8 production red hens, and they were always meaner than snakes to the little guys! This year's flock consists of 28 5-month-old EE's, BR's, D'uccles, OEGB's, and Wyandottes. We have 7 roosters.
Anyway, my questions are:
1) Was it the breed of my hens that made them so mean to the new birds?
2) Would they get picked on worse in my bigger flock, or accepted easier?
In my previous flock, I would intergrade 3-6 new birds once or twice a year. There was always a TON of fuss for the first few weeks, then the new birds would always become the shy little outcasts, and I always felt SO bad for them! I was wondering of maybe it was just the breed of the older hens? We had 8 production red hens, and they were always meaner than snakes to the little guys! This year's flock consists of 28 5-month-old EE's, BR's, D'uccles, OEGB's, and Wyandottes. We have 7 roosters.
Anyway, my questions are:
1) Was it the breed of my hens that made them so mean to the new birds?
2) Would they get picked on worse in my bigger flock, or accepted easier?
