HELLO

[marymary]

Hi I have just joined this site, Hello to all.

I have just started keeping chickens again after a few years with none. I bought 4 from a local breeder , but a walkers dog got in to the garden and killed one, I was so upset but decided I would get a few more.

Answered an advert for 2 Jerseys, The advertiser contacted me to say she had 2 buffs and 2 whites sussex which I could have as she wanted rid , they were all ones she had hatched in an incubator.

Sadly one of the white sussex died the night before I collected them, but the remaining sussex was tiny she could fit in your palm, I was worried she would survive.

I put them in a seperate coop from the original girls but they can see each other. The white Sussex is a terrorist bullying the Jerseys and Buffs even to Buff Cockerel backs off from her.
My questions to you experts is Will the cockerel become more assertive as he gets older and put her in her place, and if I post a pic of the young ones will someone give me a clue as to their age As the lady I bought them from said she got confused with other birds and didnt have a clue.

Sorry for long first post, but soooo many questions.

 

[Chuck]

Welcome.

I'd isolate your new birds from the old if you can if you've just got them. This will help cut down on cross infection from anything the new birds might be carrying especially as they seem to have a rather vague history. A breeder/seller should be able to estimate the ages at least !
The male should become more assertive as he gets older, assuming he is young at the moment.
If you post some photos, you'll get some ideas on age I'm sure.

 

[marymary]

Thanks so much for your reply, have had new girls and Cockere for 5 weeks been apart all that time the old girls free range so new ones get run of coop when they are out all day. There are 2 houses in same run.