What age of pullets should I purchase?
If you don’t have any chickens at home you can purchase any age as long as they are within one month of each other to avoid younger or smaller birds getting picked on. All our pullets are old enough to live in an outdoor coop.
If you have multiple coops and the ability to keep chickens of various ages yippee, you will have the best selection. If you have chickens at home and need to put your new chickens in the coop with your old ones you should read about integrating your flock. It is recommended you purchase pullets that are 4.5 months old or older. We currently have a very imited number of pullets in this age group if any so please make a plan prior to making your appointment.
Do you guarantee your pullets are girls?
Yes, 100., If your new pullet crows please contact us immediately. We will make it good, by taking it back and giving you a credit for the purchased amount or letting you keep the cockerel and giving you a credit for the purchased amount. Some breeds are harder than others to sex.
What do you vaccinate your pullets for and why?
Bird and Bee Farm has all suppliers vaccinate on day 1 for Marek’s. We vaccinate on day 4 for coccidiosis. At 8 weeks old we vaccinate for Fowl Pox, Pigeon Pox and Avian Encephalitis. At 8 weeks old we also treat for worms and parasites. NO Vaccine is 100%, they simply aid in preventing disease. Bird and Bee Farm is making our best attempt to sell you a healthy pullet or cockerel. Our chicks all originate from NPIP Avian Influenza, Salmonella and Pullorum Typhoid Clean Flocks.
Should I quarantine my new chickens?
Yes, it is suggested.
Do you have any tips to help me integrate my new flock with my old flock?
Adding new members to an existing flock can be a challenge, therefore we suggest purchasing your entire flock at one time if you can. Here are some methods our customers have found helpful.
The more you add the better. This improves the odds for the new arrivals. Adding one or two to a large existing flock is NEVER ADVISED.
Add additional feeders and waterers to ensure access to all. Add Vitamin/Electrolytes at the manufacturer’s recommended dosage level to the water for a day or two. This will help with stress. Bird and Bee Farm does not recommend the use of Vitamin/Electrolytes on a continuing basis.
Add distractions like a bale of hay, a flock block or a hanging head of cabbage. Give them something to pick on instead of each other
If possible, have a coop or a play pin within your coop or run for the new members of the flock so they can get to know each other at a distance, one week is suggested.
Another idea is to introduce in an entirely new area, a makeshift chicken yard or fenced off area. This throws the older girls off balance and they are less likely to be harsh and defensive to the newcomers.
Another strategy is to put the new birds in at night once the old flock is settled and quietly roosting. If you do this be ready to supervise in the morning to ensure success and have a hiding place for anyone that is getting picked on.
Your Bird and Bee Farm pullets have never free ranged so they will likely be happy to stay in the coop while yours explore the garden. This might make the transition easier.
If you have one or two members of the flock bullying others remove the bully or bullies. Isolation is a punishment to a chicken and can reset the pecking order. Isolation can just be a couple of hours or longer if they persist. While isolated they should have access to feed and water.
If blood is drawn or a chicken becomes too stressed, it must be immediately addressed. Chickens are unable to ignore a bloody flock mate and this can be deadly. Do not return the injured chicken until she is strong and all traces of blood are gone. Pierce’s Nu-Stock works well to heal chicken wounds. Wash the bloody area and apply Nu-Stock liberally to the affected area.
It takes a week to ten days to completely reset the pecking order so be patient and know some aggression is normal. The flock does need a leader.
Add pullets that are size appropriate and are eating the same feed as your flock. You may get away with adding them younger and smaller if you have plenty of space. If you crowd chickens they will figure out a way to rectify the situation.
If you are adding pullets that are under 4.5 months old you need to feed EVERYONE a starter grower, If you are worried about your eggshells you can leave a dish of oyster shell out for those that need it. The extra calcium in the layer feed will negatively impact your pullets under 4.5 months old, the starter grower won't hurt your older hens, in fact the extra protein and vitamins in the starter feed is good for them.
How many hens can I put in my coop?
The minimum rule of thumb is 4 square feet per chicken inside the chicken coop, and 8 to 10 square feet per chicken in an outside run. More square footage is better. Skimping on space requirements for a flock of chickens can cause stress, cannibalism, pecking, and sometimes even death.
How many nesting boxes do I need?
One per 4-5 hens, they all seem to want to lay in the same one or two no matter how many nesting boxes you have. The nesting boxes should be lower than the perches to keep the chickens from perching on the nesting boxes.
Do I need a Rooster and how many?
A rooster is not required. People that free range their chickens sometimes like to have one to protect their hens or people might like to have their hens hatch some chicks. If you don’t have a rooster one of the hens will take the place at the top of the pecking order. Roosters can be hard on the hens especially if you only have a few hens. We never suggest a second rooster unless you have over 20 hens and even then probably not necessary.
What do I feed my new chickens?
They need to be on a good FRESH Medicated Starter Grower until they are at least 5 months old. They are not ready for the extra calcium in a Layer Feed until they are laying age. When the youngest member of your flock is 5 months old you can put the whole flock on layer crumble. Young hens can start laying while on a Starter Grower. FRESH is very important factor, vitamin loss in feed causes a multitude of problems for chickens. Try to purchase the most popular brand at a busy feed store near you.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/how-homemade-feed-can-hurt-your-chickens/
When will my pullets start to lay?
A healthy pullet will begin to lay between 5 and 8 months old.
Can I get one of each breed?
We recommend buying in groups. Birds of a Feather Flock Together is a true statement. We have a few breeds that we will not sell individually. Cochins and Salmon Favorelle are two examples. They are so gentle they need the support of each other in a mixed flock.
What if one of my new pullets isn’t doing well?
If you lack chicken experience call or text us right away or consult https://the-chicken-chick.com/. They recover best when problems are address promptly. Being at the bottom of the pecking order is stressful and can cause their immune system to be compromised. Ensure everyone is getting the basics, FRESH feed and water. Think twice before removing a pullet because it is going to be hard to re-introduce them to the flock. Give the pecker a time out, a few hours isolated with food and water away from the flock can re-set the pecking order. We can’t always help but we will always try.
Are their things in my environment that can hurt my new chickens?
Yes, and many of them can be avoided.
· Hardware Disease can be avoided by cleaning up after projects in the yard. A shiny piece of wire or screw looks yummy to your pullet and can be deadly.
· Ant, Gopher and Mice/Rat Bait can be deadly to our chickens. Weak or dead rodents that have been poisoned can be deadly.
· Maggots infected with Botulism can be deadly.
· Don’t throw chicken feed or treats on the ground where it can become contaminated with droppings.
· Don’t overfeed treats. Treats like scratch should not make up more than 5% of their diet.
· Use nipple waterers or provide clean water in a clean container daily.
· Don’t overcrowd your chickens. Don’t stress your chickens. Stress taxes their immune system.
· Keep a clean coop and provide a sunny well drained yard.
. Coccidiosis is common in chickens under one year old. Bird and Bee Farm Vaccinates for Coccidiosis but no vaccine is 100% so be aware and prepared https://the-chicken-chick.com/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken/
· Lice and mites need to be identified and treated when necessary https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/, dust baths are helpful in controlling lice and mites.https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-dust-baths-ultimate-spa/
· Worms can be easily avoided https://the-chicken-chick.com/control-treatment-of-worms-in-chickens/.
· The use of diatomaceous earth is not recommended for your chickens https://the-chicken-chick.com/the-cut-dry-truth-about-diatomaceous/
