I have a 2-chicken flock and want to introduce a 3rd, but one of my hens isn't well. Can I introduce

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

I have two 3-year-old hens - a BO and a BR (I used to have an EE too, but she died in June). The BR and the BO haven't layed in about 5-6 months so I know something isn't right. The BR looks plucky and happy - although she's still a bit skinnier than she should be, but the BO isn't well. You can read about her story here if you want (I have NO clue what's wrong with her). In a nutshell, after my EE died, the remaining two were treated for coccidia just in case.... they've had their poo checked for worms by the vet (neg)... and we recently built them an awesome new HUGE mega-coop b/c I worried that their last coop was too wet and smelly and might be a cause of their illness (it was an open style coop and we live in FL and it was raining in and it was hot and muggy and buggy....).

I have a friend with some generic EEs and she offered to give me one. I'd like to take her, but I don't know if I should introduce a new hen when my BO is quite frail. I'd ask her for a low hen on the totem pole, but should I wait?? My BO has been off for about 2 months now - some days her tail is down and she just lays there, then the next day her tail is up and she's bagawking and pecking around the yard and beating my BR to treats. Her comb and wattle are very small and pale pink and she can't get up on the roost on a good day, so I know she's not well even if she appears OK some days.

I ask because I have 3 week-old chicks in a brooder and if I add the EE to my flock of big girls, I'd like them to be settled before it's time to introduce the new chicks (obviously I have a long way to go before these little girls are ready for introductions).

Part of me thinks I should bypass the EE altogether.

Part of me thinks I should put her in and see what happens. I can always give her back if it doesn't work out.

I'll admit that I've always wanted a blue-egger and I worry if my BO dies, my BR will be lonely.... but maybe I should wait and see if the BO ever recovers - and not introduce the EE until the BO dies

Ugh. I really have NO clue what to do. If you have any advice for me, I'd be forever grateful. I'm really at a loss as to what to do.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sourland]

I'd be tempted to add the EE and see what happens. If it doesn't work out, you can always return her.

 

[mstricer]

At three years of age her egg production will go down. What kind of feed are you feeding them? Personally if it were me I would cull it. The only birds I have kept past 3years are my Spiitzenhaubens, I only kept them because they are good brooders and they lay about 4 to 5 eggs a week. I would go ahead and get the EE.

 

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

At three years of age her egg production will go down. What kind of feed are you feeding them? Personally if it were me I would cull it. The only birds I have kept past 3years are my Spiitzenhaubens, I only kept them because they are good brooders and they lay about 4 to 5 eggs a week. I would go ahead and get the EE.

I know that a smart chicken owner would cull her. I really do get that. However, I'm so ridiculously attached to her Embarrasing, I know. Neither of them has laid an egg in close to half a year, so it is a bit frustrating. I'm trying to hang in there and hope they get healthier and start laying again - even once or twice a week would be fine, but so far - nothing.

Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

Oh and they're getting layer pellets with some oyster shell on the side and some random household leftovers from time to time. They can free range a bit, but it's been limited recently b/c we've been building the new coop. We have to put their fence back in so they have safe access to grass again.