Timing question... When should I get pullets for my cockerels?

[BWchicken]

ALL my "pullets" turned out to be roos and I was able to rehome all but two. They are about 14 weeks old and it has been just the two of them for a few weeks now. They were raised together, don't fight, and get along very well. One already seems dominant (the other one seems perfectly satisfied with that - he acts like a girl anyway lol).

I want to get some pullets their age for them (and I want eggs), but I'm concerned about the timing. The dominant one seems to have his flock-leading instincts kicking in, and I can already tell he will be a good roo for hens. And although these boys get along really well, I am concerned about the roo fights that might occur with pullets to fight over. And I'm wondering at what age those fights would be less likely to occur. So should I wait to get pullets until the cockerels mature more, or do it now while they are still "adolescents"(14 wks old)?

 

[popcornpuppy]

what kind of roos do you have? Some types get along better than others. My understanding of introducing new chickens (in your case, pullets) to an existing flock is that they need to be close in size to the chickens that you all ready have. It is also helpful if they are close in age so that they can "grow up" together. They at least need to be the same size so that the smaller, or younger ones don't get picked on. I would say it is better to get pullets sooner than later because the roos may have a harder time accepting any new chickens at a later age. If the roos have already established a pecking order between them, they will probably maintain it as long as they are together because they grew up with each other. Just don't bring in any more accidental roos or there could be war between them.

 

[azelgin]

I'd get your pullets as soon as possible. If you introduce them when the cockerels are more mature, your fights will be a much more severe problem. Do it now and the pecking order will be established without much bloodshed, if any.

 

[rittert3]

i would say your roos are ready. mcmurry i know sells started white leghorn and red star pullets at 17 weeks which would be a good age for your roos they run them just under $13 ea and i'm not sure what their shipping limits (as far as the quanity) or shipping prices would be. You want to make sure you have enough puulets not to stir up troube between the roos a book i have said a 9/1 ratio is the best. so 18 pullets for your 2. they say that these pullets start laying at 19 weeks too so your wait for eggs would be durasticly reduced in return for the higher asking price. let me know how it goes. o i also saw that they only have one shipping date available and a limited supply so i would hurry if you decide to go with them.

 

[BWchicken]

Edited to delete double post

 

[BWchicken]

Sorry... Edited again to delete triple post... why does it keep posting duplicates when I edit a post?

 

[BWchicken]

Oh yeah, I should have mentioned -
They are both bantams:

A Self-Blue Belgian D'uccle
and
A Splash Wyandotte Bantam

So I'll most likely be getting bantam pullets as well, so they'll all be the same size. I think I can get them locally at a huge "trades day" market that occurs here once a month.

But I only have room for 8 pullets at most right now. If I got 18, they would be extremely overcrowded in the run. The coop could probably house 15 or so total, but not the run. And they can't free range at all because of neighborhood dogs and cats. So maybe I shouldn't get pullets after all?