chicken people..?

[Ginevive]

Here's the deal. We have 2 roosters. They were raised together and get along fine, and even sleep together. We had one hen that was killed either by predation, or by the roosters.. she was semi-feral and was rescued from a :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:-fighter.
Now, we want to get a few hens, for eggs and a little breeding. I am reluctant to get adult birds, because I can't know the age of them and they could be on death's door in a week. I want to get little pullets, but I am afraid that the roos will kill them. Is it a better idea to get the youngsters and keep them isolated in a pen or horse stall where the roos can't get at them? Or would they be ok and is it unlikely that the roos will hurt them? I am thinking that the babies would need isoation anyway because of predators, etc. because they are so small and fragile.

[Dcommander]

Im no expert, but my grandpa does have chiken, and they are all free and get along very good. They dont have much predators so that's not a concern here, but if you do, maybe isolating will be the best choice.

[Seneschal]

I have a friend who owns and breeds chickens---she buys chicks, but has to keep them in a smaller cage inside the roosters and chickens' enclosure, because the older birds attack them. We don't know if they'd kill them, but they certainly peck at them---she raises them separately until adulthood, and then lets them loose with the others. However, chicks born of a hen by one of the roosters will be fine; they won't get attacked.

[littleindiangirl]

I know some people keep them in their house in a large bin and heat lamp until they are old enough to go out to the barn. That's what I will do when I get chickens! They're so cute.

[wolfy-hound]

Older birds will attack and peck at little ones. I've had them scalped before. As soon as a wound is made, all the others will peck at it until you see skull.
Keep the babies seperate, until they are old enough to be with the roosters safely.

[Schlyne]

I would keep the babies separate from the adults.

[Ginevive]

Ouch! We have decided to get a few hens, and see if any breeding occurs. My friend has nice hens that we know to be healthy, and the bonus is, she won't lie about when they were hatched, so we will know the age of what we are getting.

[KeithTN]

We got a few (about 17) chicks and 6 ducklings from the local feed store. we are keeping them in the huse until they feather out.