LoSmith
In the Brooder
I have a single black sexlink hen that is around 1 year old (she was the sole survivor, and top of the pecking order, of our flock of 4 after a fox and hawk took the other three) and we recently purchased a rooster ~ 1 year old, two black sexlinks ~ 14 weeks old, and two brahmas ~ 10 weeks old (gender to be determined). After quarantining everyone for health we introduced the rooster to our oldest hen and they get a long wonderfully. He is surprisingly gentle with her and after a week of close supervision they are allowed 24 hour access to each other in the main coop, though he chooses to sleep on the “outdoor” roost while she in the “indoor” portion of the coop. My question is when can I place the younger ones in the coop as well? They are currently in two separate kennels away from the main coop where they can see each other and allowed supervised free-range time (everyone together). It seems the older hen is ok with the sexlinks and doesn’t go beyond establishing the pecking order with her intimidation while everyone tries to excessively beat up on the brahmas. I can close off the rooster’s sleeping area at night so he does not have access to the girls. Any advice is greatly appreciated!