Mixed Chicken Flocks: Planning For Pullets
Combining pullets and chicks with full-grown chickens is a challenge. Because pecking order is a serious matter, it can be dangerous and risky no matter the circumstances. Having a mixed chicken flock keeps things lively though! There is no question that we were entertained throughout the process, and perhaps even some of the adult chickens were too. Sadly, we did lose a chick to what we believe was wry neck. One day she just wasn’t herself and passed away quickly. Even if you want it to be, chicken keeping isn’t always rainbows and unicorns.
If you have chicks and you’re looking for brooder advice or you have a broody hen you should read this article from Fresh Eggs Daily.
Existing dynamics can change in mixed chicken flocks
Our chicken flock already had a well-established mama hen and two pullets before we added eight new pullets into the mix. The pullets we incorporated were raised separately by my neighbor. Before beginning, we made some coop adjustments and had a transition plan that we closely followed. Most days went smoothly overall. Fresh Eggs Daily has an entire post and recommendation for a transition playpen or fenced off area in the coop (or next to it) when mixing chicken flocks, which was super helpful. We did that for a week before making an actual introduction.
Top ten list before you try a mixed chicken flock in your coop!
1. Space … and perhaps even a little more space: You do need a considerable amount of space and places for them to roost and rest (and escape other birds) throughout the day. We have tons of ladders, two sawhorses, and a smaller roosting ladder so they can chill without being bothered all the time for those lower in the pecking order.
2. Lots of Feeding Stations: Have more than one – we have four!
3. Someone to do multiple drive-bys’s during the day: Outside of the bird we lost to wry neck, I also noticed one of the birds that is tiny has a wound that scabbed over on her chest. She gets around fine, but I do check her out each day to make sure it’s healing. More eyes on the flock mean more folks to run interference if the chickens get pushy with each other.
4. Clean Water: All the chickens seem to be scratching near the water stations, so it feels like their water dishes get dirty quickly. Always make sure they have fresh water.
5. Mixed Flock = Lots More Chicken Manure. Clean up the poop under the roosting bars.
6. When to Transition From Starter to Grower? Feed based on the youngest member of the flock, and supplement as needed for the older birds (such as additional calcium sources for laying hens). A feed formulated for laying hens isn’t good for little chicks who don’t need that extra calcium yet. When I say we have a mixed flock, even our pullets are different ages within their little “gang.” RULE: At eight weeks it’s ok to transition to grower feed. Scratch and Peck has a great post about this, and that is what we’ve been feeding since day one. Scratch and Peck have a feed guide for laying hens, as well as a wealth of other information for chicken keepers. Here’s the link: https://www.scratchandpeck.com/learning-center/helpful-guides/ Our youngest hen is now eight weeks old, so we are ready for grower feed.
RULE: When feeding a mixed chicken flock, feed according to the youngest members of the flock and supplement as needed for the older birds. That’s the foundation of feeding mixed flocks.
7. Supplements Are Key: Grower Grit is key during This transition
8. Transition Playpens Do Make a Difference: I mentioned this above briefly, but the concept of using a playpen to transition our pullets into the coop was brilliant. We kept them in this exact playpen above for a week with food and water of course – all the big girls got to know them with the safety of netting between the pullets and the sharp beaks of the ladies!
9. Combat Boredom with Ways to Enrich Hens: To decrease any “Mean Girl” behavior in the coop it’s nice to bring in some distractions. I recently gave two huge sliced up spaghetti squashes to the flock for them to peck at throughout the day.
10. Spread Some Love and Stick to a Routine: Chickens, like many animals, like a routine. It eases stress in their day to day life and helps them understand that their human caretakers are going to feed them and provide essentials every day. When we leave, we keep the chickens in the mobile coop for the day. They’re not able to free-range, and I notice a lot of chatting coming from my fave hen! The sounds and noises are very specific! Chicken keepers need to consider a lot including the suggestions above. Having a plan makes this transition less stressful for birds and humans. When adding pullets to your existing flock, make sure you review this list, and please comment below if you have any questions!