eleanors_garden
In the Brooder
- Sep 29, 2023
- 10
- 40
- 46
For context::::
I haven’t had my flock long, but it started when I was gifted a curly toed hen who was bullied out of her previous flock from a friend. She’s about 40wks now. Around 20ish weeks I added 4 pullets (7wks) to have her some company.
9 weeks ago I picked up 15 more chicks. 13 made it past the first 3 weeks. I had a cozy set up inside, and then cornered off a pen in their open run (they have an acre to roam) and had their separated area in the coop at night.
TODAY I went down to the barn for chores and a hawk got into the baby pen, and (luckily) only killed one.
Main Body Qs::::
Husband said we should add a rooster to the flock to protect them.
From reading we should get older than my middle girls (now 24wks) but do I have to keep him separate from the young non laying pullets (9wks) until they are closer to 20wks?
Do I have to quarantine him first for disease?
Do I have to implement a similar system I have currently to introduce young pullets to older hens?
Help!! Lol
I will take any and all advice !!
Thank you everyone.
I haven’t had my flock long, but it started when I was gifted a curly toed hen who was bullied out of her previous flock from a friend. She’s about 40wks now. Around 20ish weeks I added 4 pullets (7wks) to have her some company.
9 weeks ago I picked up 15 more chicks. 13 made it past the first 3 weeks. I had a cozy set up inside, and then cornered off a pen in their open run (they have an acre to roam) and had their separated area in the coop at night.
TODAY I went down to the barn for chores and a hawk got into the baby pen, and (luckily) only killed one.
Main Body Qs::::
Husband said we should add a rooster to the flock to protect them.
From reading we should get older than my middle girls (now 24wks) but do I have to keep him separate from the young non laying pullets (9wks) until they are closer to 20wks?
Do I have to quarantine him first for disease?
Do I have to implement a similar system I have currently to introduce young pullets to older hens?
Help!! Lol
I will take any and all advice !!
Thank you everyone.