This last week we transfered the medium size chickens (11 weeks) into the coop with the laying hens. This was interesting to say the least. We checked the progress of the intergration of the flock and well it was not going well for the rooster! The hens (a bunch of feminists I think) tried to peck him to death! So we removed the rooster put him in isolation for a week and have now moved him back into the chicken nursery. As far as the other 6 little hens they are doing okay they keep away from the other chickens and mostly stay on top of the roosts.
What I have learned:
- I would rather not add chickens to a flock if possible. Those birds are mean while they are determining the pecking order. Since it costs about $8 to raise a bird that's an investment I don't want some mean old bird pecking to death.
- I will not put a small rooster in the house again! Not until he is at least the same size or bigger!
So my advice is you can inocorporate new chicks into your flock at about 8 weeks old but if you can wait until 12 weeks that is better. Don't be suprised when there's a whole lot of clucking going on!
RH
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