Argy-bargy check

[Gwethrien]

Background
New chicken owner as of Easter but not totally impulse buy though newbie mistake didn’t go with established breeder and ended up with sick chickens three almost laying Rhode Island Reds. Blood test says they are carriers for infectious bronchitis. All respiratory symptoms have resolved but chickens are very unreliable layers lots of soft eggs.
current coop is okay secure dry but could be bigger and more functional.
Chickens free range in decent sized suburban backyard. Get plenty of layer feed oyster shell and occasional treat. We have had crazy late spring weather, at least three 20-30 degrees swings in last couple weeks with hot days being 100+. Chickens have access to tons of shade with multiple waterers but definitely feeling the heat.

Next steps
Coop improvement expansion-probably be completed in next couple of weeks.

Here is where I come to the crux of the issue

I think I should cull the two most unreliable layers, I have a processor Identified but I would love if folks have tips on that end or pointing me to some good posts.

Any new chickens would need to get the infectious bronchitis vaccine before joining the last original. If I identify better source is it reasonable to ask that they administer a vaccine that I would purchase and provide one week prior to pick up my isolation situation would not be ideal. I’m looking to add a Wyandotte and Barnevelder probably 4-6weeks old.
The remaining RIR is currently the last in pecking order and most chill personality of three, the a little quirky we call her an opera singer her egg song is loud and long, though not super friendly to human. I’m not overly concerned about quarantine of new birds because I’m essentially replacing flock and new birds are more at risk then single original. I would be doing a modified integration since it is two new young joining a single only slightly older hen. My coop expansion has a see but no touch separated area.

I’m ready for all the experienced folks to point Out what I have missed.

 

[Mrs. K]

You might reconsider, I think you are through the worst of it. A rocky beginning, without a doubt. Soft-shell eggs are fairly common when a hen starts laying, and generally she will work the kinks out, and lay just fine from there on. I would be hesitant to cull these birds now. RIR or even RIR crosses tend to be good layers.

I think you might (now remember, I am in SD, never have seen your birds) so do ignore this advice if you think best. But I think I would keep these birds this laying season, add three new chicks to your flock next spring, and as your new chicks come into lay, cull your older birds then.

Mrs K

 

[Gwethrien]

You might reconsider, I think you are through the worst of it. A rocky beginning, without a doubt. Soft-shell eggs are fairly common when a hen starts laying, and generally she will work the kinks out, and lay just fine from there on. I would be hesitant to cull these birds now. RIR or even RIR crosses tend to be good layers.

I think you might (now remember, I am in SD, never have seen your birds) so do ignore this advice if you think best. But I think I would keep these birds this laying season, add three new chicks to your flock next spring, and as your new chicks come into lay, cull your older birds then.

Mrs K

Perhaps Just the voice of reason I needed. Maybe I will do chicks in the fall so they are laying age in spring here in Sacramento valley of California winters are not bad so grow out should be fine.

 

[Mrs. K]

Oh yes, fall would be good in California. See, I just got you to double your flock! haha - a chicken enabler.

 

[Pghelp]

You might reconsider, I think you are through the worst of it. A rocky beginning, without a doubt. Soft-shell eggs are fairly common when a hen starts laying, and generally she will work the kinks out, and lay just fine from there on. I would be hesitant to cull these birds now. RIR or even RIR crosses tend to be good layers.

I think you might (now remember, I am in SD, never have seen your birds) so do ignore this advice if you think best. But I think I would keep these birds this laying season, add three new chicks to your flock next spring, and as your new chicks come into lay, cull your older birds then.

Mrs K

I agree with Mrs K. I wouldn't be too hasty to cull. RIR are usually reliable layers. If you wait on adding new ones, you might consider buying juveniles instead of very young ones. They might be able to hold their own with the adults a little better.

 

[Gwethrien]

I agree with Mrs K. I wouldn't be too hasty to cull. RIR are usually reliable layers. If you wait on adding new ones, you might consider buying juveniles instead of very young ones. They might be able to hold their own with the adults a little better.

I admit I’m inclined to do chicks or even invest in incubator equipment Because of my less than ideal first encounter, the more control I can have over bio security the better of course there is the flip side which is I have to manage integration.
I have designed my two level coop/run to allow try and address that because I can completely close off bottom and convert to totally separate brooder/grow out/integration pen. It is 26 square feet total and 2.5 ft tall so I can even add a roost and nest Box if I need that can handle 1-2 chickens.
I also think it may be a good project/distraction for family for whatever new world fall is going to bring. Chickens have improved the mental health of our entire family during a stressful time.

 

[Pghelp]

I admit I’m inclined to do chicks or even invest in incubator equipment Because of my less than ideal first encounter, the more control I can have over bio security the better of course there is the flip side which is I have to manage integration.
I have designed my two level coop/run to allow try and address that because I can completely close off bottom and convert to totally separate brooder/grow out/integration pen. It is 26 square feet total and 2.5 ft tall so I can even add a roost and nest Box if I need that can handle 1-2 chickens.
I also think it may be a good project/distraction for family for whatever new world fall is going to bring. Chickens have improved the mental health of our entire family during a stressful time.

I understand! A few weeks into shelter in place I decided now is the time and ordered baby chicks which I've never raised before! Ours are turning 2 months old and we're working on integrating with the older ladies. Chicken TV has become our major source of entertainment and delight these days. Best of luck!

 

[aart]

I admit I’m inclined to do chicks or even invest in incubator equipment Because of my less than ideal first encounter, the more control I can have over bio security the better of course there is the flip side which is I have to manage integration.
I have designed my two level coop/run to allow try and address that because I can completely close off bottom and convert to totally separate brooder/grow out/integration pen. It is 26 square feet total and 2.5 ft tall so I can even add a roost and nest Box if I need that can handle 1-2 chickens.

Chicks are easier to integrate than older birds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

26sqft isn't much for older birds, but might be perfect for chicks if you can get a heat plate/pad in there.

Pics of your coop?

 

[Gwethrien]

Chicks are easier to integrate than older birds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

26sqft isn't much for older birds, but might be perfect for chicks if you can get a heat plate/pad in there.

Pics of your coop?

This is current set up. All I have completed for add on is pallet floor raised on posts. This coop will be raised up on posts and I will remove wall on right side to connect. The whole bottom perimeter will be enclosed with hardware cloth with at least at 6 in apron buried 3 in under. New coop wing has trap door opening and ramp will go under. For regular operation I will have door to under run open and close at beginning and end of day (I have dreams of adding and auto door and sleeping in). There food and waterer will be in there safe at night from pests and available to birds right away in morning.

I will also have ramp hooks for main doors of new coop, which I would open and close manually morning and night, food and waterer would be probably set up similar to where they are now with food being locked in tote at night. Then bottom area can be sealed off. I can fit large “brooder Tote” down below. I wouldn’t keep any adult birds there long term and would allow free range time. I plan to hook up a solar panel to run auto door and could power warmer and light for chicks, maybe even a fan because we get pretty hot here. I really enjoy the planning of My chicken expansion.

 

[Aunt Angus]

View attachment 2194442 This is current set up. All I have completed for add on is pallet floor raised on posts. This coop will be raised up on posts and I will remove wall on right side to connect. The whole bottom perimeter will be enclosed with hardware cloth with at least at 6 in apron buried 3 in under. New coop wing has trap door opening and ramp will go under. For regular operation I will have door to under run open and close at beginning and end of day (I have dreams of adding and auto door and sleeping in). There food and waterer will be in there safe at night from pests and available to birds right away in morning.

I will also have ramp hooks for main doors of new coop, which I would open and close manually morning and night, food and waterer would be probably set up similar to where they are now with food being locked in tote at night. Then bottom area can be sealed off. I can fit large “brooder Tote” down below. I wouldn’t keep any adult birds there long term and would allow free range time. I plan to hook up a solar panel to run auto door and could power warmer and light for chicks, maybe even a fan because we get pretty hot here. I really enjoy the planning of My chicken expansion.

I'm in Sac area, too. I suggest you change out the chicken wire with hardware cloth when you enclose the bottom area. Raccoons are a problem pretty much anywhere you live in the Valley. Opossum and skunks, too. And HAWKS. Hawks are a big problem: Coopers, Red Shouldered, Red Tailed... Keep that in mind when looking at your yard and free ranging.