When to Integrate Pullets

I simply switch out my layer feed for chick feed and allow greater access to calcium for the hens. I find it easier to feed them all the same, and chicks need the starter so that's what they all get.

Unfortunately, the day after I switched feed, Tres Olivia's baby was trampled by a rush of chickens hoping to get out because they saw Cee Cee walk past their door. Why they would think she controls feed or door is beyond me, but the girls do follow her around hoping she will bring something to share with them.

I read the bag (duh) and it says 18-20 weeks. I thought it was the same company that is a mill up where I buy the layer and they don't give much information on their bag that's why I hadn't checked. That's the truth Thistle!

Smart Red, the calcium is in a dish but I'm afraid the pullets might eat it also.

I guess I'll see how much chick feed I have when it gets closer to the day. I'm sure not gonna get more if it's close. They will be switched to layer.

Mary

ninnymary said:

I read the bag (duh) and it says 18-20 weeks. I thought it was the same company that is a mill up where I buy the layer and they don't give much information on their bag that's why I hadn't checked. That's the truth Thistle!

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Haha! That's funny!

ninnymary said:

Smart Red, the calcium is in a dish but I'm afraid the pullets might eat it also.
Mary

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The pullets should not be drawn to the calcium just as the roosters aren't. It is a calcium deficiency from egg-laying that has the hens going for the calcium.

Smart Red, I didn't know that! Thanks!!

Mary

Hey Mary - how is your speckled sussex doing now? Is she still by herself?

Cane, somehow one of the other pullets managed to crawl under the wire that separated them. I can't believe it but she is leaving her alone! I had tried twice to have them all together but the other 2 would start picking on her and I figured I would leave her alone until they all got integrated with the older hens.

I really liked your idea about using verticle space in the coop to provide me with more space. My husband built a ladder and those darn hens haven't even looked at it much less touch it. Thought the rungs were too close so we took some out and I've still have yet to see someone use it. I am hoping this would help the pullets and give then a place to jump to if they get picked on by the older hens when I integrate them in September.

Mary

I wasn't sure how to make a ladder work in my small coop. I decided to make steps along the wall instead. While some chickens fly up and down, my heaviest birds will readily use the step/platforms to get up and down.

I used a damaged 4' stair riser that I got off the reject lumber pile at Lowes for a reduced price. I put it close to the wall and nailed "steps" on it and to cleats on the wall so my original first 2 girls could get to their roost. I even put a poop board under their little roost, dumb idea! The hens would rather lay on the poop board than their nice nest box! I will never build a poop board again!

Last year, adding more chickens, we built a ladder style roost from 2x4s and it worked well for giving the younger pullets a place to escape from those mean ol' fat hens! Plus it gave them plenty of room to go beddy-bye at night.

Hens are finally using the nest box, but I had to put up some fancy curtains for them! I cut legs off blue jeans, split them and stapled them up with my fancy drapery hanging staple gun!

Bay you are too much!!! It's a good thing we doen't live close together - we'd be an 'up-cycle' force to recon with!!!

When I had the back porch re-done a few weeks ago, I took the pickets that used to be part of the hand rail, turned them on their side and leaned them against the poop shelf (which I love!). Perfect chicken ladder! No more THUMPS as my heffalumps hit the floor.

I would love to see a pict of yalls steps along the walls.