Introducing the runt of the Litter?

[Chknsmkmehppy]

Hello,
I seem to have a miniture chicken on my hands. I started this spring with 2 silkie chicks. After a few months we got 6 Frizzle chicks that were about 6 weeks old. One of the frizzles, now named Cupcake, was much smaller then the rest. I did inquire about this to the lady I bougtht them from and she assured me she was the same "litter" as the rest. We intraduced the 4 biggest of the frizzles into the coop with the 2 silkies and had minimal clashing but discovered the one silkie, Speedie, was and still is the definate dominant bird. I put Cupcake and one other of her littlermates in the garage for the summer to grow.

Well, over the months eveyone has grown except cupcake. Well, she is a little bigger but half the size of the rest. She seems healthy and cute as can be. She still doesn't roost but prefers to sleep in the nesting box.

Now, the questions. I have built a bigger coop with a bigger run for everyone. I am in Wisconsin and it is getting cold fast. Is it inevideble that cupcake is going to be picked on as a little tyke? Any suggestions on introducing her to the rest in the new coop? Out of the eight, I believe I have 2 roosters that are frizzles (only one crows-sorta) and judging by the behavior of Speedie and the size, I am speculating he is a male as well, but hard to tell with silkies. Thoughts?

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Glad to have you join us! I would highly advise you not to put her into the flock alone. She needs at least one or two other chickens to be introduced to the flock with her. It minimizes picking and fighting. Size isn't always an issue. It depends on the flock. I have two Golden Campine's, and they are tiny girls. Yet they are almost at the top of the pecking order. As long as you have other hens to introduce her to the flock with, and she isn't weak or physically disabled, she should be fine. The first couple days of adding her to the flock will be hard for her, so just keep an eye on her. Check on her often and make sure she isn't being picked open, and make sure she gets lots of food and water. Adding new chickens to an existing flock is tough, but it can be done no matter what size bird you are dealing with.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!!

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! I agree if she is introduced by herself she will automatically be at the bottom of the pecking order. The best place to find out whether or not you have some cockerels is to post pictures on this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this good luck to you.

 

[Chknsmkmehppy]

Thanks for the thoughts. She has been with one other hen this whole time so I m thinking they will stick together. A friend suggested sectioning off an area in the big run and having the 2 by the 6 but separate for a time.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Thanks for the thoughts. She has been with one other hen this whole time so I m thinking they will stick together. A friend suggested sectioning off an area in the big run and having the 2 by the 6 but separate for a time.

I completely forgot to mention that. That works too. I did it when I integrated my 9 young girls into the adult flock. It works well. It helps them get used to each other, just not establish the pecking order.

 

[Chknsmkmehppy]

this is Cupcake n her buddy Snowflake...u can c what a peanut she is

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Aww!! She's very cute!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome to BYC! Cupcake is a cutie, she sure is a tiny little thing.

 

[drumstick diva]

sounds like she would make a great house chicken - hint, hint.