Help! We've lost almost all our flock

[clubsmed]

We are devastated....we've recently lost all of our flock except for one. Our remaining girl is 3 years old. I want to get more chickens as soon as possible to keep her from getting lonely and more stressed than she may already be. I'm not sure what age of chickens to get. Pullets are readily available right now, but should I look for a couple of older birds?

 

[Mckennas poultry]

Pullets would be fine, just know that she will most likely be on top of the pecking order

 

[ellie62706]

I think pullets would be okay, Mckennas poultry, She'll enjoy being queen!

 

[aart]

We are devastated....we've recently lost all of our flock except for one. Our remaining girl is 3 years old. I want to get more chickens as soon as possible to keep her from getting lonely and more stressed than she may already be. I'm not sure what age of chickens to get. Pullets are readily available right now, but should I look for a couple of older birds?

Welcome to BYC...sorry for your losses.
How did you 'lose' them?
She'll probably be fine, don't panic, think it thru a bit.
Chicks are safer from a bio-security standpoint.
Is your coop and run setup for an integration?


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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[chickens really]

Hello..I would get Pullets and put the older one in a look no touch pen and then introduce them all after a week or two..