2 chickens; adding more

[nkvmdsrs127]

I lost 3 of my 5 chickens this week due to a fox attack. My coop is secure-this was an unfortunate accident outside of the coop & run.
The remaining 2 are ok; they are 8 months old.
I am very interested in acquiring more chickens.
Right now my main concern is the mental health of the remaining 2.
They seem to be mostly hanging out near each other (it's been 3 days since the attack).

For me personally-I'd like to get 4-5 baby chicks in the spring.
They would be ready to join the 2 originals at 6 weeks.
But wondering if my 2 adults would be happier if I found older coop ready hens now.

Thank you to anyone who is willing to post their opinion!

 

[NatJ]

Two hens are probably fine together until spring.

(Of course if something happens to one, the other will get very lonely.)

For brooding the chicks next spring, if you can brood them in the coop (with a divider they can see through, like chicken wire or hardware cloth), they can start getting used to each other from the very first day.

If you haven't already seen this article, you might find it interesting:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

What size is your coop and your run? Integrating new birds takes extra space above the 4 square feet in the coop and 10 square feet in the run recommended minimums.

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

 

[aart]

But wondering if my 2 adults would be happier if I found older coop ready hens now.

Not likely, they will not be happy with 'intruders'.
Plus you risk bringing in pests and diseases.
Best wait for chicks in the spring, and prep your coop to brood them there.
Way easier to integrate chicks when they are young.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Not sure where you are located so I don't know how weather may play into this. I don't know what your facilities look like, that could play a part in my decision. But

For me personally-I'd like to get 4-5 baby chicks in the spring.

so that's the way I'd approach it. You can make arguments for either way, different people are going to have different opinions on this. But their opinion or my opinion is not what is important, yours is. If you want to have some discussion on how to make that happen we can have a loooooong conversation, but if that is what you want, go for it.

 

[nkvmdsrs127]

Welcome to BYC.

What size is your coop and your run? Integrating new birds takes extra space above the 4 square feet in the coop and 10 square feet in the run recommended minimums.

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

Thank you for these links! I have decided to get chicks in early spring. Will use the brooder set up in my basement until they can safely be outside. The articles are very helpful for that next step

 

[nkvmdsrs127]

Not sure where you are located so I don't know how weather may play into this. I don't know what your facilities look like, that could play a part in my decision. But


so that's the way I'd approach it. You can make arguments for either way, different people are going to have different opinions on this. But their opinion or my opinion is not what is important, yours is. If you want to have some discussion on how to make that happen we can have a loooooong conversation, but if that is what you want, go for it.

Thank you.I live in Maryland. I have decided to go with a new batch of chicks in March or April. Will raise inside my house like the original group -and introduce them to my 2 adult girls when they can go out. And will research the intro methods when it‘s time-lots of good info on this site

 

[nkvmdsrs127]

Not likely, they will not be happy with 'intruders'.
Plus you risk bringing in pests and diseases.
Best wait for chicks in the spring, and prep your coop to brood them there.
Way easier to integrate chicks when they are young.

I agree. That’s my plan now. Thank you!

 

[3KillerBs]

And will research the intro methods when it‘s time-lots of good info on this site

So much excellent info!

I credit several of the regulars here for the advice that allowed me to have 3 easy, low-drama integrations this year.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Mixing birds of diff ages is always easier if there are more birds being added than the number of birds you currently have.

I have chicks currently 10 days older from each other, 3 older, 7 younger.

The young ones enjoyed having the older ones around, and the older ones liked having more friends.