Get the new bird(s) ASAP and toss them all out. Unless you have birds with silkied feathers or health issues they could've been out a couple weeks ago. But right now you're right at the cusp of them being able to (possibly) accept newcomers without an integration period.
Beak could use a trim as well. I've used dog nail clippers without issue, you just want to steer clear of the quick in the center of the beak but the clear-ish tip can be safely cut. And then yes having plenty of rocks, bricks or other hard surfaces will give him options to hone it on.
You don't have deep litter in your coop, so any advice you've read about it (whether right or wrong) wouldn't apply. Even with deep litter in order for it to heat up you'd need a massive volume of it, like an actual active compost pile. A few inches of deep bedding is not similar.
Ventilation...
Interesting... it may still be bumblefoot but just hasn't fully surfaced yet like the ones where there's an obvious scab on the surface. I'd definitely keep an eye on it and maybe consider doing epsom salt soaks for week or so to see if that helps with the swelling.
Can you get a photo of the underside or can you check to see what's directly under that? At a glance it appears to be an impacted toe pocket.. Have you tried pressing down on it gently and if so, what do you see?
Pretty much. They need to be exposed to it to get it and you wouldn't have that issue with an indoor brooder set up that's being kept clean.
I handle things differently. I don't use medicated feed and I raise chicks outdoors, directly on the run floor. So rather than try to not expose them...
As others have mentioned if eggs are a priority then staggering the ages of the flock is a good idea for more consistent production over time. If you set up for integration ahead of time it really isn't the most difficult thing, my flock is staggered by a number of years (currently I have 9...
From your description these are behaviors you're choosing to allow or even encourage, so I wouldn't call any of that bad behavior.
I don't let my dogs on furniture, nor the kitchen, nor near the bedrooms. I personally like them at the dining table but my husband does not (they of course choose...
I have but usually starvation, age or illness is a contributing factor. But like I have hummingbirds here year round... even something that tiny can manage to keep themselves warm and functional in below freezing temperatures.
Just glancing at their About Us page it sounds like they take biosecurity pretty seriously, so that's a good sign. Not sure if there's reviews available from others who've bought from them before but that'd be something else I'd want to check on.
I guess it depends on how hot your summers get. Having the soffits or under eave open should add a ton of ventilation year round, but if you have hot summers to deal with a fan might help, however I've never tried adding one so I can't give specific advice on that.
In my area that would be a very reasonable price... caveat is, I live in an overpriced area. I paid a comparable price square footage wise 7 years ago (when wood and labor were cheaper) for a custom shed-coop.
I would see if they can add more ventilation though. And maybe a chicken pop...
1. It depends on their ages at the time you try to put them together. The younger they are the less likely you need to have an introductory period.
2. I've never had a broody lined up timing wise as chicks so I can't answer that. Yes started pullets (or even chicks not raised by a broody)...
Possibly could be a chimera, you won't know for sure until it's older and more feathering comes in, but if it is you will find silkied feathers on one half and regular on the other, split down the middle.
I assume you've checked for pests, predators or thieves? Are the birds free ranged at all or do you have a very large run where they might hide eggs (you mention locking them in the coop for a day but did that include the run?) Any recent changes in routine or sudden stressors like a predator...
If they're all over 18 months old (or close to that) then it's not unusual that they've stopped for the winter. If you've routinely gotten eggs in the winter regardless for 13 years, then that's either very good planning with the ages of your flock, or you're supplementing lighting, or you've...
Avoid handling them unless needed while molting. You may find birds become more skittish as they're more sensitive due to the pinfeathers coming in.
Molt can happen very quickly, or gradually. So a bird can blow off everything in a few days, or very small amounts for weeks, to the point that...
I've never had a single hen lay during molt. A couple of my birds have begun laying again after molting early this year, but I don't anticipate that will last - they'll stop completely once the days are too short to trigger laying.
No, do not dose her if she's not laying. Most likely she was...
I'm a sucker for tuna noodle casserole, I make it with celery, mushrooms and peas - mostly milk based with very little cheese. And turkey tetrazzini. And homemade "hamburger helper." If it's a creamy casserole, I'm all for it! Probably because I DIDN'T grow up with casseroles I have a very...
Other concern with your set up is how much snow do you get, and how will you manage it? Wet snow building up on top of that run can easily collapse it.