The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Sharondp on April 13, 2010, 03:41:45 pm

Title: Poor little chick!
Post by: Sharondp on April 13, 2010, 03:41:45 pm

Sadly we lost 4 of our 5 Light Sussex pullets to a fox the night before last. I take full responsibility for not securing the nest box properly  :-[ :'(

As we only have the one left, I thought I might put her in with our black rocks but they've been bullying her a bit. I've got here in a separate run within their pen at the moment, letting her out with supervision. She's 9 weeks old and half the size of the blacks. :-\

Any suggestions? Should I keep her separately or try and integrate her?

Or...has anyone got any pullets for sale??  :chook:

Title: Re: Poor little chick!
Post by: jameslindsay on April 13, 2010, 03:49:59 pm

I think if you have her in where the others can see her and get used to her they should accept her. This is how I integrate my ducklings with the bigger group anyway and it has always worked. I hope all works out well.

Title: Re: Poor little chick!
Post by: whitby_sam on April 13, 2010, 04:01:16 pm

I agree with James.
I integrate my pullets in a mesh box inside the main chicken shed so they can all see eachother but there's a layer of mesh to keep the hens away.
Its about 3ft X 4ft X 5ft high so allows them  plenty of room for movement. The pullets also have their own little run at the back of the shed again safe from the full grown chooks.
I also have some pullets for sale. They're pure-bred Maran and very fit and healthy birds. They'll be £30 each at POL or less if you want them sooner (they're about 9 weeks now)

Title: Re: Poor little chick!
Post by: bernardine on April 13, 2010, 04:29:00 pm

if the hen is smaller they will pick on her .I found it took about 3 weeks to integrate new hens. Why dont you try some rescue hens they are so rewarding.

Title: Re: Poor little chick!
Post by: Sharondp on April 13, 2010, 05:34:42 pm

Thanks guys - she was in the pen next to the black rocks, separated only by chicken wire so they are probably quite used to her. I'll keep going with what I've been doing and see how we go.

Sam - where are you and your pullets?

Title: Re: Poor little chick!
Post by: whitby_sam on April 13, 2010, 11:16:42 pm

We're in Whitby, North Yorkshire

Title: Re: Poor little chick!
Post by: Sharondp on April 14, 2010, 10:42:23 am

Should have guessed that! Bit too far away from me!

I've put her out with the black rocks this morning and things are going OK so far. She has her little pen to retreat to if needed.

Thanks everyone for your help  :)