Adding new baby chick with 2 hens

[billfred]

New member, sorry if this question has been asked before.
Our dog just killed one of our 4 month old hens. We have 2 left. My 7 year old daughter is pretty upset. I told her we could get a replacement.

Can I add one more chick to the other 2? Or do I need to get 2 more babies? Any advice on this process would be great.

Bill

 

[Pork Pie]

Adding just one chick to the existing birds would be something that I would personally avoid - the main reason being that until the chick begins to lay, it will be ostensibly alone (the older birds will at best, ignore it).

I'd suggest reading some of these links:
Intro chicks to adults

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1126547/topic-of-the-week-integrating-chicks-into-an-adult-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069595/introducing-chicks-to-adults#post_16276224

@aart has some great additional info that I am sure she will be happy to share (one fine day, I'll remember to bookmark it )

Good luck

 

[aart]

Can I add one more chick to the other 2? Or do I need to get 2 more babies? Any advice on this process would be great.

OooOuch...tough lessons.
2 would definitely be better.
Adding close to same aged birds would be best, but is a risk for pests and disease.
Here's a good article about adding a single bird:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

@aart has some great additional info that I am sure she will be happy to share (one fine day, I'll remember to bookmark it )

Well, it's not an article, just part of my notes that I paste.
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.

 

[Pork Pie]

Maybe making it an article would be a good idea Either ways, I've now copied your note (and duly acknowledged you as the author) to go along with the links on integration I have I do hope that is acceptable.

Thanks for helping out

 

[billfred]

Wow. Not as simple as just getting a replacement. Maybe we’ll stick to two. Dumb dog.

 

[aart]

Wow. Not as simple as just getting a replacement. Maybe we’ll stick to two. Dumb dog.

Keeping chickens is simple, except when it's not.
It takes more than most folks think, but once you understand all the little details of their needs and behaviors, it get 'simpler'.
They are live animals, and not much like keeping dogs and cats.
Having the right setup can make a huge difference,
but that can be a lot of work and expense.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

OR..... you can tell your daughter to toughen up like the little soldier she is and keep marching forward! Hut 2, 3, 4!

 

[chickens really]

If these are more for your daughter and not a big deal?..Stick with what you have. Chicken keeping is more complex and many times adding new Birds causes too many issues to deal with..
Best wishes!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Wow. Not as simple as just getting a replacement. Maybe we’ll stick to two. Dumb dog.

If you don't want to deal with integration now perhaps you can add two more hens in a couple of years, when your current hens have slowed down on laying.

Sorry for your loss but dogs do what they do. Obviously you'll need a system to make sure the dog and chickens aren't loose at same time.

 

[New2Chicks97]

New member, sorry if this question has been asked before.
Our dog just killed one of our 4 month old hens. We have 2 left. My 7 year old daughter is pretty upset. I told her we could get a replacement.

Can I add one more chick to the other 2? Or do I need to get 2 more babies? Any advice on this process would be great.

Bill

Sorry your daughter lost one of her chickens. It is no fun losing one of our feathered friends.

Maybe wait until next spring when the cute chicks are out in all of the stores and get two at that point? That way you have time to read up on integrating new birds and can get a plan in place and be prepared for how to make it work.