Moving my coop, good time to introduce new hens?

[67Mopar]

Im moving the coop to a higher dryer location, im a newbie so Ive learned a lot from here and real life, but diddnt realize how damp an area the birds were, and how much of a hassle it will be once the snow files here in the northeast. I have 3 hens lost 4 another lesson, but remidied and im thinking of adding 2 hens for a total of 5 manageble hens . I gues the short of it is , is this change a good oppertunity to start fresh, new digs for all? Or should i let the 3 get used to their new place first, and deal with new hens in the spring? other thought was more birds to roost keep them warmer Thanks

 

[Shadrach]

Im moving the coop to a higher dryer location, im a newbie so Ive learned a lot from here and real life, but diddnt realize how damp an area the birds were, and how much of a hassle it will be once the snow files here in the northeast. I have 3 hens lost 4 another lesson, but remidied and im thinking of adding 2 hens for a total of 5 manageble hens . I gues the short of it is , is this change a good oppertunity to start fresh, new digs for all? Or should i let the 3 get used to their new place first, and deal with new hens in the spring? other thought was more birds to roost keep them warmer Thanks

I think this would be a very good time to add to your flock.

 

[67Mopar]

Im hoping

 

[aart]

Are you moving the coop...or building a new one?
The new location might help, they'll all be 'confused'.
A new coop would help more, totally new territory for all.
Still keep the basics in mind and have a plan B if things go sideways.

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[67Mopar]

yes a new coop, made up of a bunch of old coops lol with a smaller run for the winter, due to space restraints, but over all will be about 16' x 4' with the housing inside that

 

[67Mopar]

Chicken experiment over, Just the other day I posted that I had remidied the chicken problem, and this morning I find a carcass, I really thought I had secured the fort, but after looking around for almost a half hour I found where the pred dug in, in a very inconspicuas location. So I am going from moving the coop and adding birds, to now I only have 2 birds , from the originl flock of 7, 1 of the birds is a black layer with moulting and missing back feathers and the other lays when she feels the need, if at all, I need a day or two, but 1 of three things is gonna happen, im gonna give the birds away, im gonna not give up and get more birds, or im gonna process the girls, I mean thi in the kindest way, Im so dissapointed right now, but I also look back and say this is my opt out, love the girls we have nice talks lol but im at a serious xroads

 

[jthornton]

When my first flock was killed by a dog I sure was hurt and started tearing down the fence and the run basically giving up. Then I found out I could still get chicks that late in the year (August). I ordered more chicks and started putting in a much better chain link fence and a hardened run and lastly I added hot wires to the outside of the chain link fence. Basically doing everything I could to protect them. That was over a year ago, my current 9 RIR hens are as well protected as I can do and very spoiled of course.

JT

 

[Dancing With Chickens]

Im moving the coop to a higher dryer location, im a newbie so Ive learned a lot from here and real life, but diddnt realize how damp an area the birds were, and how much of a hassle it will be once the snow files here in the northeast. I have 3 hens lost 4 another lesson, but remidied and im thinking of adding 2 hens for a total of 5 manageble hens . I gues the short of it is , is this change a good oppertunity to start fresh, new digs for all? Or should i let the 3 get used to their new place first, and deal with new hens in the spring? other thought was more birds to roost keep them warmer Thanks

I would let them get used to the new place first as they can get stressed from change, and the new birds will bring on more stress.

 

[aart]

Chicken experiment over, Just the other day I posted that I had remidied the chicken problem, and this morning I find a carcass, I really thought I had secured the fort, but after looking around for almost a half hour I found where the pred dug in, in a very inconspicuas location. So I am going from moving the coop and adding birds, to now I only have 2 birds , from the originl flock of 7, 1 of the birds is a black layer with moulting and missing back feathers and the other lays when she feels the need, if at all, I need a day or two, but 1 of three things is gonna happen, im gonna give the birds away, im gonna not give up and get more birds, or im gonna process the girls, I mean thi in the kindest way, Im so dissapointed right now, but I also look back and say this is my opt out, love the girls we have nice talks lol but im at a serious xroads

Bummer So Sorry.
Well, I'd bet you will continue with your plans to make a more secure coop in a better place.