When to put up perches in a chicken coop

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Hi everyone,

I bought 25 Rhode Island Red chicks on May 31st this year. Actually, there's a story about how I ended up with so many...the lady at the feed store where I ordered them told me to be sure to order extra because you're sure to lose some the first few weeks. Well, I haven't lost a single one and they're growing like weeds! I bought all pullets but it looks like I do have 1 rooster, we'll see if he's a good guy or a bad guy. Anyway, my question is: how soon do I put up perches in their coop? These chicks are BIG, almost the size of my full grown Polish and they're only a little over 2 months old. I have them separated from the laying hens, I'd like to put them all together when the pullets are about 4 months old. Is that a good time? I'm culling all of my older hens, except 2 because they'll set. So the pullets would only be in with 6 little over year old Polish and 2 older RIR crosses, plus the Polish rooster. Will the two roosters fight? Should I only have one? The Polish rooster is a sweetheart, very gentle and pretty.

Thanks for your help.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), August 05, 2001

Answers

You should be able to put the perches up now. They will use them if they want to. In my opinion, the four month time frame would be just fine, so long as they aren't outnumbered. Put them together at night and if possible pen them in the pen for a week so they are accustomed to each other a bit before they are forced to live together. I don't know if the roosters will fight, but I would watch them. I think since the one is so young, it might not be a problem, but I lost a rooster to a fight with another this year, so *I'd* be a bit leery. i have seen people running numerous roosters without trouble, but I think it just depends on the individuals. Good luck!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), August 05, 2001.

Thanks, Doreen.

I'll put the perches up today. I'll give the RIR rooster a chance, but the Polish rooster is such a sweet guy that he'll be the one to stay if there's a problem.

It's supposed to be cooler and less humid today so I'll be able to get some work done. Tomorrow it's back in the 90's with high humidity again. Yuck.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), August 05, 2001.


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