Lost a chicken

[BuffOrpMama]

We lost our first chicken today. One of our dogs was the culprit. Very sad day.

I now have 4 Buff Orpingtons at about 25 weeks old. They are all laying every 3-4 days. I would like to add a new layer because my city allows 5 hens. Any advice on any breed that would be easier to introduce at this age?

Thank you.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I’m so so sorry for the loss of your sweet chicken. Bear hugs!
Introducing one bird to an existing flock is very difficult and can be devastating to the newbie. My suggestion is to get at least 2 of your selected breed. Cochins and Brahmas are generally very sweet, docile breeds. Of course, Easter Eggers are a favorite too! Good luck and best wishes to you and your flock!

 

[aart]

Any advice on any breed that would be easier to introduce at this age?

Not really, all breeds can have an aggressive bird.
It has more to do with the environment than the breed.
Integration can be tricky, takes extra space.
This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might this:
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search


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

 

[BuffOrpMama]

I’m so so sorry for the loss of your sweet chicken. Bear hugs!
Introducing one bird to an existing flock is very difficult and can be devastating to the newbie. My suggestion is to get at least 2 of your selected breed. Cochins and Brahmas are generally very sweet, docile breeds. Of course, Easter Eggers are a favorite too! Good luck and best wishes to you and your flock!

Thank you for your kind words and advice.

 

[BuffOrpMama]

Not really, all breeds can have an aggressive bird.
It has more to do with the environment than the breed.
Integration can be tricky, takes extra space.
This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might this:
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search


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

Thank you VERY much. I’ll read up tonight.