Combining flocks

[Henny0831]

Hi all. Much needed advice. We have two separate chicken coops. One houses 6 chickens and the other housed 2 chickens. One of the chickens which housed the two just passed this morning so now I’m not sure what to do with the lone chicken. I don’t want to leave her by herself but not sure if I should put her in with the 6 or put one of the 6 in with her? Which is the better transition? I feel so bad for her. Thanks in advance!

 

[CluckerFamily]

What did the one chicken die from?
If the other chicken was exposed, she could spread it to the other flock if you combine them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Not sure why you had them separated to start with. There may be something in that which would help with the decision. The size and layout of the facilities might play into that. Either way can work but you may have some issues that point one way or the other.

Personally I'd try to get them all together so you don't have this issue again. Either way is an integration and may have issues. It would be easiest on me to manage them if I had one flock with one coop to clean. So I'd prefer to simplify management and put them all together.

 

[Henny0831]

Not sure why you had them separated to start with. There may be something in that which would help with the decision. The size and layout of the facilities might play into that. Either way can work but you may have some issues that point one way or the other.

Personally I'd try to get them all together so you don't have this issue again. Either way is an integration and may have issues. It would be easiest on me to manage them if I had one flock with one coop to clean. So I'd prefer to simplify management and put them all together.

We had our original 6 and then took 2 from our neighbors since they didn’t have space for all the ones they had. We had a very hard time integrating them at that point. A couple of our 6 were extremely aggressive so we ended up putting the 2 in their own coop. Now the one has passed and I’m not sure what to do.

 

[Henny0831]

What did the one chicken die from?
If the other chicken was exposed, she could spread it to the other flock if you combine

She was born with a crooked beak and that sadly is probably why she passed.

 

[aart]

We had our original 6 and then took 2 from our neighbors since they didn’t have space for all the ones they had. We had a very hard time integrating them at that point. A couple of our 6 were extremely aggressive so we ended up putting the 2 in their own coop.

How long ago did the new birds come to your place?
How big are both your coops and runs, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be most helpful here.