When to let them out of their run?

[o0Zilla0o]

Thanks again, for all your good advice, I will wait some more weeks. And give them more time in the pen, and then I expand it as much as I can. So it's a bit of 'freedom' for them outside the pen. But without leaving the secure fenced area next to the pen.

 

[aart]

On Friday I get a beautiful orpington pullet, she is 4 months - and from a register breeder (she has a ring on the leg) hoping she can guide the slightly confused other hens.

Adding another bird will be interesting.

 

[chuckachucka]

Nope, they are older, do not know the exact age but 2-3 months and up.
View attachment 1429194
Unfortunately, the seller did not spend much time on them, and they just went to bed in a barn where there pen was (they do not come out), so they also had to learn to go to bed inside the chicken house. And not just sleep on the ground in the pen. They learned that already after day 2, now they go well into the house at night.

On Friday I get a beautiful orpington pullet, she is 4 months - and from a register breeder (she has a ring on the leg) hoping she can guide the slightly confused other hens.

They are so beautiful!

 

[o0Zilla0o]

Adding another bird will be interesting.

Your comment can be interpreted in many ways, How do you think it will be interesting?

There is no fuss in the herd, and I have only good experiences of combining chickens, especially when they have a lot of space, and they are young.

 

[aart]

Your comment can be interpreted in many ways, How do you think it will be interesting?

There is no fuss in the herd, and I have only good experiences of combining chickens, especially when they have a lot of space, and they are young.

Sorry, I was rushed and shouldn't have replied to briefly.
Adding new birds can be a territorial battle, often turning bloody.
Adding a single bird can be especially difficult.
But it sounds like you know how to manage it and have the space to manage it well.

 

[o0Zilla0o]

Update on the new pullet in the herd
The new Orpington on 4months, came to the flock yesterday, and it has been so perfect with the pair, of them all. The new one went in a pen next to the other all day, and in the evening/when the all was going to bed, on there sleep stick, I took the new one and place it on the stick next to one of the white, and let them go to sleep for the night. There was no trouble, no signs of unrest. When I closed them out today, they all went in a well-functioning flock <3 And they still do it, while I'm writing this update. No matches, no chase. Just peace and harmony.

Everyone in the herd is new, so no old 'boss' and all are young chickens. They bonder much faster, and often completely without problems like this one. I am aware that it can cause problems when adding one new to the flock, but I often see this only when you have had some for a longer period and then add one new one. So it's often bullied and therefore it's best to bring 3 ore more new to the herd, so they can stick with the new one against the 'old' but the experience I have with new and young chickens, is they do not yet formed their hearaki, as a strong unit. So there is no big trouble at joining news and therefore you can just put one into the pack. Also, therefore, it has been important that the new came soon after the others so they not are a strong group, against one new.

Now the herd is complete, and I would like to enjoy them for many years!

 

[o0Zilla0o]

It goes very well, and we enjoy them a lot. They are still in the pen, but i think maby 1 ore 2 week more, then i will try to let them out, 2 hours before bed, so they are just out for a short time.

They are more tame now, and know the sound when I'm knocking on the bucket. and not so nervous in our presence anymore.

Dig up some soil and throw into them, so they have a little fun during the day.

 

[o0Zilla0o]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/out-in-the-open.1254880/