Clucking_In_Michigan
In the Brooder
So to make a long story short, I purchased 10 babies from a small Michigan hatchery last November and have not had the best of luck. Of the original 10 I now have 2 left one Barnvelder Roo and a Welsummer hen. Both have terrific dispositions and are very gentle birds (she is an egg laying machine!). As for the others I had to cull 3 due to them being roosters and the rest of the hens had died mysteriously at various ages from 1 week of age all the way to 6 months of age for my last Olive eggar . They were all raised on Medicated feed and always had clean bedding and fresh food / water and seemed very healthy until their untimely ends. So the losses remain a mystery. I purchased 8 pullets from Family Farm and Home (they get their chicks from Townline Hatchery in Zeeland, MI) and have had 100% better luck, zero losses and all seem very healthy, they are now 9 weeks old. I am planning to introduce the new crew to my last 2 survivors this weekend and am looking for recommendations. I am figuring that the sheer number of new birds should help to alleviate issues with any major bullying and am planning to do the 'nighttime surprise' introduction. I am looking for any suggestions / input about how to do this and reduce the chances of any major issues.