Adding chicks to my existing flock, is it too early?!?

[#lovemychickens]

How many hens do you have in total?

I had a total of 28... noticed two were for sure roosters so they were re-homed and now have 26.. which a few more are showing to be roosters as well so I may end up with either 22 or 23 hens. I’m wondering if I should down size because of space.. our coop is 8x8 and then there is an additional section that is 4x4 where they walk into. Our run is 16x20 and there is an additional apace under the coop that is 4x12 (this connects to the 16x20 run.). I’ve seen so many mixed comments regarding space.. they don’t free range all day because of eagles and hawks.. so they are allowed out when we are outside with them.. averages 2-3 hours a day during the week and about 4-5 a day on the weekends.

 

[M Brennen]

I had a total of 28... noticed two were for sure roosters so they were re-homed and now have 26.. which a few more are showing to be roosters as well so I may end up with either 22 or 23 hens. I’m wondering if I should down size because of space.. our coop is 8x8 and then there is an additional section that is 4x4 where they walk into. Our run is 16x20 and there is an additional apace under the coop that is 4x12 (this connects to the 16x20 run.). I’ve seen so many mixed comments regarding space.. they don’t free range all day because of eagles and hawks.. so they are allowed out when we are outside with them.. averages 2-3 hours a day during the week and about 4-5 a day on the weekends.

Are your hens mixed ages? You mentioned 6 three year olds ganging up on the little ones. We are in the process of rebuilding our run. It will be about 12x24. We lost most of our flock to a weasel a couple years back. Our actual coop is 8x12. It’s gambrel style with open rafters. They love to roost up there at night. When we put it up we were told we could hold 100 birds. Where are you located? I am currently struggling with how to protect my birds From something digging under when they are in the run. I will leave them in the run when I am not home and hopefully in the yard when I am home. I used to leave my birds out in the yard, but one day I came home to a fox attack on my front lawn, so started locking them up. Then a few years later a weasel struck. My cousin in the next town over from me lost ten of her birds to a bear this week. I’m currently in a quandary trying to protect from all wildlife.

 

[#lovemychickens]

Are your hens mixed ages? You mentioned 6 three year olds ganging up on the little ones. We are in the process of rebuilding our run. It will be about 12x24. We lost most of our flock to a weasel a couple years back. Our actual coop is 8x12. It’s gambrel style with open rafters. They love to roost up there at night. When we put it up we were told we could hold 100 birds. Where are you located? I am currently struggling with how to protect my birds From something digging under when they are in the run. I will leave them in the run when I am not home and hopefully in the yard when I am home. I used to leave my birds out in the yard, but one day I came home to a fox attack on my front lawn, so started locking them up. Then a few years later a weasel struck. My cousin in the next town over from me lost ten of her birds to a bear this week. I’m currently in a quandary trying to protect from all wildlife.

We have mixed ages in our flock. We have three- 3 year old hens, ten- 12 week old hens, six-6 week olds and seven-4 week olds. We are located in MN and right now the temps are on the hot side with humidity. Makes it a bit miserable for the feathered beasts. We put fencing out a foot and a half along our run and coop, so if anything were to dog, it would hit that. We’ve been fortunate and haven’t lost any other than to old age/ sickness etc.. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a fox or weasel wipe them out.

 

[M Brennen]

We have mixed ages in our flock. We have three- 3 year old hens, ten- 12 week old hens, six-6 week olds and seven-4 week olds. We are located in MN and right now the temps are on the hot side with humidity. Makes it a bit miserable for the feathered beasts. We put fencing out a foot and a half along our run and coop, so if anything were to dog, it would hit that. We’ve been fortunate and haven’t lost any other than to old age/ sickness etc.. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a fox or weasel wipe them out.

I am in Vermont and our temps have been unseasonably warm too. My baby chicks have hardly used the heat plates. You have a really nice set up. Our chicken area is a bit woodsy, but that has kept it a little cooler.

 

[#lovemychickens]

I am in Vermont and our temps have been unseasonably warm too. My baby chicks have hardly used the heat plates. You have a really nice set up. Our chicken area is a bit woodsy, but that has kept it a little cooler.

What are the ages of all of your chickens and what breeds do you have?

 

[M Brennen]

What are the ages of all of your chickens and what breeds do you have?

I have one Buff and one Araucana and two bantams that are all between 5-8 years old. I also have 29 chicks that are just 3 weeks old. They are a mix of Araucana, Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock, and Golden Comet. I have 12 Newly hatched Buffs coming on Thursday.

 

[#lovemychickens]

I have one Buff and one Araucana and two bantams that are all between 5-8 years old. I also have 29 chicks that are just 3 weeks old. They are a mix of Araucana, Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock, and Golden Comet. I have 12 Newly hatched Buffs coming on Thursday.

Sounds like you have a great mix of breeds!

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

My one pullet 9 weeks wants to perch on my 6 foot fence on second night out. I have neighbors so I panicked. I clipped her wings last night knowing they will come out in the juvenile molt. I felt it was better than loosing her over the fence.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My one pullet 9 weeks wants to perch on my 6 foot fence on second night out. I have neighbors so I panicked. I clipped her wings last night knowing they will come out in the juvenile molt. I felt it was better than loosing her over the fence.

Our chicklets are about 6 weeks old and are enclosed in a 4-foot fence. They're trying out their wings, too. We clipped the feathers on their left wings a couple of days ago. Hate doing it, but much worse is the consequences of not doing it. Sigh. Birds. Whattaya gonna do?

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Our chicklets are about 6 weeks old and are enclosed in a 4-foot fence. They're trying out their wings, too. We clipped the feathers on their left wings a couple of days ago. Hate doing it, but much worse is the consequences of not doing it. Sigh. Birds. Whattaya gonna do?

Thank you for sharing...Yes, they have a mind of their own don't they. I think I have to have a reality check on my attachment with them. Some days I'm a nervous wreck with worry. I'm a new chicken mom.
Sooooo, She tried once and failed (because she couldn't fly) last night, her sister was making such a fuss she gave up and went in to roost with her. They are in a little run doing to see but don't touch method. I read this breed will fly over a 6 foot fence. She will always have to have her wing clipped. Dogs on both sides of me.