2 chickens; adding more

I’m so sorry for your loss... I did wait until April to get more chickens, after the December loss. I received 6 day old chicks from McMurray hatchery in early April. I kept them in my basement until they were about 7 weeks old, and it was warm enough outside (I’m in Maryland). I had a separate outside enclosure for the 7 week olds, so they & my older hens could see each other, but not physically interact. I had the youngsters sleeping in a dog crate inside the run attached to the coop.

Sadly I lost 2 youngsters to a early morning & dusk fox attack (details too painful to go into, but adjustments have been made to prevent a repeat). We have a whole new huge enclosure where I can leave them when I am not out with them.

But have 5 in total, now, works well.

There were a few bumps doing the full integration(ie having them all sleep in the coop together)-but after a few days, it seemed ok. They still kind of do their own thing free ranging in my yard (the 3 youngsters & 2 older hens)- but all go into the run & coop together at night without incident, to my eyes anyway.
 
I’m so sorry for your loss... I did wait until April to get more chickens, after the December loss. I received 6 day old chicks from McMurray hatchery in early April. I kept them in my basement until they were about 7 weeks old, and it was warm enough outside (I’m in Maryland). I had a separate outside enclosure for the 7 week olds, so they & my older hens could see each other, but not physically interact. I had the youngsters sleeping in a dog crate inside the run attached to the coop.

Sadly I lost 2 youngsters to a early morning & dusk fox attack (details too painful to go into, but adjustments have been made to prevent a repeat). We have a whole new huge enclosure where I can leave them when I am not out with them.

But have 5 in total, now, works well.

There were a few bumps doing the full integration(ie having them all sleep in the coop together)-but after a few days, it seemed ok. They still kind of do their own thing free ranging in my yard (the 3 youngsters & 2 older hens)- but all go into the run & coop together at night without incident, to my eyes anyway.
I’m sorry!!! Thank you for replying
 

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