Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Beano on July 14, 2022, 19:51

Title: Age of please.
Post by: Beano on July 14, 2022, 19:51
Could someone please tell me what approximate age these two are, please. They are bantam cross breed. I have been told they are 10 weeks old.  Are they? I am more used to full sized hens so finding it difficult to believe.  They are fully feathered. Hope the photo helps.
Title: Re: Age of please.
Post by: New shoot on July 14, 2022, 23:02
They are young birds and could be 10 weeks, but it is hard to be exact about that.

Why are you doubting the seller if you don’t mind me asking. My rule of thumb is that if you sense something is not quite right with a breeder, walk away.
Title: Re: Age of please.
Post by: steven c on July 15, 2022, 10:46
i think that age is about right within a week either way   are you worried they may be roosters
Title: Re: Age of please.
Post by: Beano on July 15, 2022, 12:58
I'm not too sure what I'm worried about to be honest. I don't  think they look likely to be cockerels. It's just that when I brought them home, they looked so small. I've usually bought POL hens, not 10 week old bantams. I have them in a little run separate to the two big girls. They were free ranging with the seller. I was told by the seller to keep them on the growers for another 3 weeks. I am making sure that they are sheltered from the sun.  What else do I need to do to make sure they are well looked after please?
Title: Re: Age of please.
Post by: New shoot on July 15, 2022, 13:45
10 week old bantams are pretty small and they look well, so I wouldn’t worry too much.

Keep on doing what you are doing and just give them plenty of time to grow up before you attempt any mixing.  They will have no chance against full sized adult hens for quite a while yet.
Title: Re: Age of please.
Post by: Beano on July 15, 2022, 14:03
Thank you for your reply New shoot and Steven c. Thank you for your advice New shoot. I will keep them away from the big girls for a good while, as you suggested.