will they remember

[GoldpartridgeHen]

hello

I have 10 hens, one cockerel
i want to seperate 3 of the hens and the cockerel in a seperate breeding pen through spring to early summer
both groups can still see each other through wire. I want to be able to join the two groups at the end of the breeding season
will it be safe to do this? will they 'remember' each other and not attack each other, or would it be best to just have to always keep them seperate?

thanks

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

hello

I have 10 hens, one cockerel
i want to seperate 3 of the hens and the cockerel in a seperate breeding pen through spring to early summer
both groups can still see each other through wire. I want to be able to join the two groups at the end of the breeding season
will it be safe to do this? will they 'remember' each other and not attack each other, or would it be best to just have to always keep them seperate?

thanks

If they can see each other through the wire I think they should remember each other

 

[chickens really]

If the Hens you want to hatch eggs from lay different colour of eggs you can leave them all together and collect your chosen eggs for hatching. That what I do.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's a standard way of handling that situation. I can't guarantee that the reintegration will be totally without issues but it is as safe a way to do that as you will find. I would not hesitate to try it.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

ok thanks!

 

[Henry&Friends]

They should be fine if they can see each other, but the three hens and cockerel may start freaking out trying to get back with the others through the fence... it helps to throw some scratch along the fence/divider daily so they have socializing time eating together.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

They should be fine if they can see each other, but the three hens and cockerel may start freaking out trying to get back with the others through the fence... it helps to throw some scratch along the fence/divider daily so they have socializing time eating together.

yup i will probably let them out together from time to time

 

[aart]

yup i will probably let them out together from time to time

You know you'll need to keep any other cock/erel away from the target hens for 3-4 weeks before gathering hatching eggs to guarantee you get the cross you want?

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

You know you'll need to keep any other cock/erel away from the target hens for 3-4 weeks before gathering hatching eggs to guarantee you get the cross you want?

yes
i only have one cock anyway, so the problem shouldn't arise

 

[aart]

yes
i only have one cock anyway, so the problem shouldn't arise

Oops, missed that, then you don't need to seclude the cock at all,
just the females you want to gather eggs from.