Stuck run

[Adams Egg]

The school successfully hatched four eggs at the end of the summer term and one of the teaching assistants has taken the chicks home, the deal being that any cockerels will be collected by the farm park who supplied the eggs.

 

Well three of the four are boys and are to return to the farm soon, leaving just a lonely hen that must be about 14 weeks?

 

The TA wanted to know when it would be best to introduce two more pullets,

 

So should it be some time before the cockerels go, if so is the introduction different with cockerels present?

 

or on the day they leave

 

or when the lonely hen has been alone for a while.

 

In the latter two situations is it still the case that gradual introductions are best?

 

I have an idea on the right answer but thought I should ask the audience or phone a friend first!

[Egluntyne]

I'd rehome the cockerels first and then introduce the pullets.

 

Also I'dry to get pullets of the same age, otherwise she will be unable to stand up for herself against a couple of bigger girls.

[Lesley]

I would actually say the opposite! (we're really helpful aren't we? )

 

If you have a cockerel there is usually no problem with introducing new hens - the cockerel sorts them out! They will still sort out their own pecking order as this is a necessary part of their lives but it usually isn't nasty if the cockerel is there.

 

I would introduce new pullets a few days before the cockerels go. Ideally I would remove two of the cockerels, leaving just the one, and then add the new pullets and i would keep the remaining cockerel as long as you could before adding newbies - the more mature he is the better. When cockerels start to crow, it is fairly quiet, so you do get a few days notice!