- Apr 23, 2007
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My first 'batch' of chickens are now 13.5 weeks old and consist of 8 roosters and 6 hens. After that I bought 15 pullets which are now 9.5 weeks old.
When could I mix these? My concern is that when I have allowed the 2 flocks to comingle for very short trials, the little ones get attacked...especially by the huge brown leghorn roosters. I don't think the barred rock roosters would bother the youngsters so much. Should I just isolate the leghorn roosters from the whole flock or mix them all and let the pecking order work itself out? I could alternatively mix all the hens together, and put all 8 roosters in a seperate coop.
I do not want any hens to end up injured or dead. I'd rather kill off the leghorn roosters or isolate them than lose a hen.
Is there a real risk with these ages or should I just let it happen?
Thanks and sorry so long! How would you approach this?
Polychickens
PS: Oh, and one of my 9.5 week girls is a boy! I figure he is toast regardless....
When could I mix these? My concern is that when I have allowed the 2 flocks to comingle for very short trials, the little ones get attacked...especially by the huge brown leghorn roosters. I don't think the barred rock roosters would bother the youngsters so much. Should I just isolate the leghorn roosters from the whole flock or mix them all and let the pecking order work itself out? I could alternatively mix all the hens together, and put all 8 roosters in a seperate coop.
I do not want any hens to end up injured or dead. I'd rather kill off the leghorn roosters or isolate them than lose a hen.
Is there a real risk with these ages or should I just let it happen?
Thanks and sorry so long! How would you approach this?
Polychickens
PS: Oh, and one of my 9.5 week girls is a boy! I figure he is toast regardless....