Unsecure chicken perches

[CallyChook]

Hi folks, I know this topic has been well covered in the past, but I have found such conflicting advice.

 

I have currently indoors in brooders, following incubation, four polish chicks 4 1/2 weeks old, and in brooder 2, five silkies and two polish, all 1 1/2 weeks old. The plan was to fence my garden in two and house these chicks all together but seperate to my existing hens.

 

In the garden already, and unaware that their territory is soon to be divided into two, I had two orpies, one white sussex, and a welsummer cockerel. All large fowl.

 

Last night, my cock passed away with suspected heart failure, having been generally under the weather for a month or so.

 

The silver lining to this terrible event seemed to be that perhaps, without the cock about, I may have been able to introduce all the chicks when older into the existing garden without the need to split it into two, thus joining the two flocks. But having a flick through, it seems that a lot of people would not recommend adding bantams to an existing large bird flock.

 

What do you think? Put them in together, or go with what I was doing originally and keep them seperate?

 

Thanks x

[tom123]

Sorry to hear about Sir Lancelot.

 

If the chicks were Pekins or Wyandotte bantams(or similar) then I would say go for it however Silkies and Polish are very susceptible to bullying by other bantams let alone LF! I would not recommend mixing them at all, it really isn't worth the risk of them being injured or worse.

 

I would continue with the original plan just to be on the safe side. Would you get another LF cockerel?

[Tara.F]

so, have I read this right?

11 chicks to four large fowl?

 

If so, with those kind of numbers you've a better chance than most!

I'd give it a go....my little mixed flock are very happy together and the pecking order is very clearly related to size so disputes have all been settled very quickly!

I'd go with the separate runs for a bit (preferably within sight of each other) then try free ranging together and see how you go.

 

I am very reassured that my tiny serama and pekins have big bad Boudi to look after them. I think that when they work, mixed flocks have the best of all worlds.

 

Tara.

[tom123]

However, as I stated earlier, you have Pekins and Wyandottes which are tougher and don't have bad vision like the Polands do. They also have very delicate skulls.

[CallyChook]

Thanks for your thoughs folks...

 

Having weighed up the risks, I think I'll stick to my original plans and keep the big seperate from my fancy little things... the idea of having them hurt when I've hatched and reared them myself if a bit too much, especially on top of hte grief of having lost my favourite bird.

 

So Tom, yes, the plan now is to get another LF cock... I dont like the thought of may ladies without a fella, and it'd be nice to give one big guy the chance to avoid the dinner table in favour of a happy life in my back garden with three beautiful women. I thought it'd be easy to find someone desperate to rehome a cockerel though, and having scoured the forums online, I cant find anyone within 40 mile radius wanting to find a home for a cockerel!

 

Typical!

[Roobaloo]

However, as I stated earlier, you have Pekins and Wyandottes which are tougher and don't have bad vision like the Polands do. They also have very delicate skulls.

 

I agree with Tom

 

I currently have two cream legbars and a Poland chick. They were all hatched on the same day but the divide is very obvious. They are 9 days old and already the Poland is at the bottom of the pecking order...thankfully it goes back to the breeder in a few weeks time (it's only on loan as it was the only one to hatch so she didn't want it to be left on its own!) I would be concerned about keeping it too much longer as the legbars have already started targeting its head...and it can currently see them coming..!!

 

Definitely better safe than sorry!!

[Daphne]

I would definitely continue your plan of dividing the garden. This is because all chicks/growers need to be allowed to grow into their frames quietly and safely and away from older birds (and ideally ground which the older birds are on) not only because they are pretty defenceless but also because they can succumb to things which the oldies shrug off. Also, as has been said, poland bantams are the most defenceless - in fact I would think hard before mixing fully grown ones unless you are sure the other breeds won't pick on them.