Chicken boarders

[TJR]

Hello. I'm new to here and to looking after chickens. I'm sure similar questions have been asked before so I do apologise in advance.

 

I have a year old Cream Legbar who I took on as she was being bullied by my friends older flock. We've had her about four weeks. She's very placid and I wanted to get her some company. I currently have two gorgeous 4 week old Pekins in the brooder that I got last week. What is the best way to introduce them to each other?

 

The weather has been quite nice here over the past few days so I have put them out in a small enclosed run, inside the large run for about an hour each day. The older hen has been interested in them for a short while, made some clucking sounds and then wandered off for the rest of the time they were with her. I'm hoping they will share the same coop as it's large enough for the three of them.

 

Do I let them in the run together and then bring the smaller ones back in at night for a while? At what age should I do this? When can they go out all night? Will they little ones know to go to the coop at night or will I have to give them a hand for a few days?

 

So many questions, lol. I do want to get this right 'tho.

 

Thanks in advance

[Andrew]

Firstly, welcome to the Omlet forum . You asked lots of good questions. Here are some pointers to help based on my own experiences.

 

Do I let them in the run together and then bring the smaller ones back in at night for a while?

Yes. Don't rush the bit where they all roam together, as being together, but separated by the small cage, is different to all being together with no barrier. I find a series of short supervised group free-roaming sessions is good. If/when it starts kicking off, separate them again, wait a while, then have another go.

 

At what age should I do this?

It's a gradual process, but you could start the supervised group free-roaming sessions in a couple of weeks.

 

When can they go out all night?

Not yet. With no mummy hen to snuggle up to they will get too cold at night. 8-12 weeks would be more normal. It's highly unlikely the Cream Legbar will brood them.

 

Will the little ones know to go to the coop at night or will I have to give them a hand for a few days?

They might follow the Cream Legbar, you might have to help for a few nights. You'll need to see what happens the first time they are left to their own devices.

 

I'm hoping they will share the same coop as it's large enough for the three of them.

That will be no problem. I have 2 classic Eglus, but at night my entire flock of adult hens (see signature) all choose to sleep in just one of the Eglu's .

 

Andrew

[TJR]

Thank you.

 

Another question. I'm turning the lamp off in the daytime now as it's quite warm in the brooder for them as my house is warm and they are very feathery already. One of the chicks gets very noisy when the (red) lamp is off (literally the second I turn it off so it's still warm in there) and tries to hide under the other chick. Surely she can't be cold already? When they're outside together this doesn't happen so I wondered what could be making her upset? If I turn the lamp on she stops immediately. I can see the other chick getting pee'd off with her if she keeps getting underneath her all the time.