What would be better? Raising a new chick or getting a grown hen?

[mamasunseri]

Hi all,

I had two hens, raised together as chicks. I lost one yesterday. I'd like to get another. My question is: what would be better: raising another chick and introducing her to the older when the chick is bigger, or getting a grown hen? I've read posts about introducing new hens to a flock, but I only have one hen to contend with. I couldn't tell what the pecking order was with the original two.

the surviving hen is a Brahma.

Thank you!!

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Well if you were to get chicks you would atleast need 2. I love rasing chicks so i would go with chicks!

 

[trilyn]

If you can get more than one, go for it! I, personally would get a couple of fullgrown hens and introduce them while out in a run or put them on the roost at night. I've done it both ways and they've both worked for me. Good luck and I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[mamasunseri]

Really? Shoot. I have a limit: no more than two chickens at a time. Aside from being lonely, is there a reason you need two chicks? What if I introduced the chick to the hen slowly by putting her cage in the coop during the day (with no way for the hen to get at her, of course)?

Thanks for the tips!

 

[mamasunseri]

Quote:
Thanks! Good to know it works both ways!

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Well, you have a limit, ugh!!

Yeah, I think putting a cage in the coop and them having access to each other 24/7 would be fine. Like you said, as long as the hen can't get at the chick, there should be no problems.

 

[newchicksnducks]

If you buy a chick, remember it will need to quite a bit older before you can integrate them. We're talking at least a couple of months. If you A.) want eggs sooner, or B.) want a companion for your adult chicken, I would try to get a pullet. You can try to find locally, or some hatcheries sell started pullets. Good luck!

 

[embkm]

If you can only get one, I would get an adult pullet. Chicks get lonely being raised by themselves, and it would be months before you could introduce them to each other.