Adding to flock

[Psubic]

I had my flock established, small, just 3 chickens. I have been anticipating my first egg which I expect in a couple weeks. 2 strange dogs just killed two of my girls, I am so sad and I feel so bad for my one remaining girl, she just keeps crying for her sisters. Will my current chicken accept young pullets? What should I do?

 

[sylviethecochin]

I'd get more chickens. Integration might be hard or it might not (it really depends on the chicken) but a short, difficult integration period is much better for a hen than long-term loneliness is.

I'm sorry about your girls.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Yeah, I agree with the above post. Getting more pullets would be beneficial to her overall well being as chickens are flock birds. Until then you could place a mirror in the pen.

 

[Mrs. K]

So been there, and it is so discouraging. But this is a marvelous hobby. Do do a physical separation for a couple of days, where they can see each other, but not peck each other. Do feed along that fence line, so they get used to eating next to each other. Then let them out together in your yard rather late in the day, on a week-end when you are going to be home, and let them duke it out a bit without interfering too much unless there is blood, which I would not expect, as you are adding two to one, which is much better than adding one to two.

Mrs K