Unsecure chicken perches

[Wantchooks]

We were handed in a very young chicken found wandering nearby....have tried to find owner but no joy. Have kept in spare room but put it out in the sun today in our spare eglu and run.

 

I am trying to guess it's age - it is about 8-9 ins tall and has feathers some tiny, but down still under its wings...

 

It may be about 6-8weeks - can't seem to find any photos to compare.

 

I have never had less than POL before - we have given it fine layers mash as we had some here - should it be on chick crumbs or growers?

 

And should I put it back in the house at night?

 

And if it stays....should I try to get a "friend" of the same age soon?

 

I have six older birds and suspect I might now be running two establishments for some time!!!!

[Egghead68]

Do you think one of your older hens might adopt it? Could you try introducing it to the most maternal one? We have had some successful adoptions (by both hens and cockerels!)

 

I can't remember whether chick crumb or growers at that age - hope someone else can help.

[Wantchooks]

 

 

Here she is - any idea how old?

Edited May 13, 2012 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't risk introducing it to an older hen. It would be quite likely to kill it. Some advice and info here.

[Wantchooks]

Obviously I have no idea how to upload pics from flickr as well as deal with young hens!!

[Egluntyne]

I've sorted the links for you, and I hate to say it, but she is a he.

[Wantchooks]

Oh blimey .....how do you know?

 

And what happens now????

[Egluntyne]

The comb, stance, chunky legs and burgeoning tail plumes are a dead give away. That is why someone has released it.

 

What happens next? You could keep it, if circumstances allow, raise it for the table, rehome it (not via this forum, but you could use the Omlet Marketplace) or you arrange for it to be culled.

[Wantchooks]

I have pm'd you....Egluntyne!

[Wantchooks]

I pm'd Egluntyne and she suggested I put it on the forum as others may have some advice too!

 

"I have six older birds - about 18mths - 14 months.

 

Is it viable to grow it to a suitable size and let it be introduced and mix with the girls?

 

Or is that a no-no?

 

I have a WIR and cube, and at the mo have the stranger out in my spare eglu and run (and prob in the house at night still for a bit.)

 

Can you guess it's age and what it is? The feathers are white, but have a bit of pale coffee creaminess to them".

 

-----------------------------------

ELUNTYNE replied as follows

 

This is a question that might interest others, so I'd post it on the main forum, for more opinions, but I'd say yes, you could, however, the older hens will give him a hard time till he is at least as big as they are. Also, he will be noisy! Your neighbours may object to a cockerel crowing all day.

 

He could be a leghorn hybrid of some sort.....and he looks about 8-10 weeks old.

[Wantchooks]

Will he still have growers mash then?

 

Think I will try to raise him and then when he is big enough introduce him to the girls....

 

Not too worried about neighbours - one has chickens anyway...and allotments and fields out the back. There is a cockerel somewhere near as well.

 

Any advice gratefully taken - I can't chuck him out like someone obviously has already.

[Redwing]

It's certainly a male, more than likely dumped by someone too cowardly to cull it

 

It should be on growers pellets. I agree with the 8-10 week age estimate

 

Yes you can keep it and introduce it to the others when it's mature (any earlier and it's likely to get bullied.) I'd try and find it a friend for now if you can

[Wantchooks]

A Male friend or a female friend? Sorry if that sounds daft, but have no experience with males or young uns!

 

Same age presumably?

[Redwing]

A female friend of the same age

[Wantchooks]

Okay -

 

Does anyone know of a place in Northeast kent where I might find one?

 

I will contact Henhouse Poultry tomorrow - but think they only do POL......

[Egghead68]

Oh - he does look a lot bigger than the ones we had successfully adopted. Sorry for the misleading advice - glad others were able to correct it quickly.

[Wantchooks]

To Egluntyne and Redwing

 

Just to let you know - the cockerel of fate has found a new home!

 

My husband took him to a local place that sells many different ages and types of bird with the thought of getting a mate, however the lady there suggested that he stayed with her flock of a similar age and he was quite happy when left!

 

Mind you, my husband has come away quite taken with the bantam Orpingtons he saw there, so maybe the spare eglu will be used soon.....

 

Thanks for all your advice.

[counturchickens]

A happy ending

[Egluntyne]

Smashing.

[jellykelly]

On preloved there is a lady called birdie. She advertises chickens and eggs. Give her a call and ask her if she has any chicks. She has a smallholding and oodles of birds, she may well be able to help. She's also based in NE Kent.

[jellykelly]

Forget my reply - I didn't read to the end of thread. Glad he's got a home.

[Wantchooks]

Thanks to everyone who replied!