I have two orloff hens that are sisters that went broody together and hatched and raised five chicks, which are now two months old. I kept them in a different coop altogether.
The chicks are now feathered out and are big enough to be unable to escape from the big pen with the big flock. I'm not sure of the right age to return my two hens to the flock and when to put the now teenage ones out there. Should I do it all at once?
Perhaps I should mention that the two hens have always been low-ranking. And while they have been in the broody hen coop, I introduced three started pullets to the larger flock. It took awhile for them to be accepted but they were four months old when I added them and they are doing well now, about a month later.
What time of day should I put them with them and should I do anything special? My chicks are both pullets and cockerels. I do have a rooster and some of my high ranking hens can be rather bossy. The chicks are actually THEIR offspring raised by the broody sisters but of course they are too dumb to know that. They have never seen chickens this young before however they were around young ducks.
Thanks for your advice!
The chicks are now feathered out and are big enough to be unable to escape from the big pen with the big flock. I'm not sure of the right age to return my two hens to the flock and when to put the now teenage ones out there. Should I do it all at once?
Perhaps I should mention that the two hens have always been low-ranking. And while they have been in the broody hen coop, I introduced three started pullets to the larger flock. It took awhile for them to be accepted but they were four months old when I added them and they are doing well now, about a month later.
What time of day should I put them with them and should I do anything special? My chicks are both pullets and cockerels. I do have a rooster and some of my high ranking hens can be rather bossy. The chicks are actually THEIR offspring raised by the broody sisters but of course they are too dumb to know that. They have never seen chickens this young before however they were around young ducks.
Thanks for your advice!