My Flock Journey

[feathermaid]

Your new babies are so cute! I wish they could stay fluffy forever

If predators are a big problem, instead of free ranging all day, you might have to just build a big enclosed run. They could still get let out for limited playtime as long as you're around to supervise.

I wish you the best with your new flock!

 

[Citychickengal]

omg Krystal, I'm so sorry to hear about your losses!
I've also lost a couple girls along the way and have learned some tough lessons. Just the way it goes...

Since you're starting over, and probably want to mix your new and old together soon as possible, might I suggest an alternate heat source for your chicks? They seem to do so much better when raised without a lamp.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/brooder-heating-plate-vs-infrared-bulb.1251271/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...healthier-options-to-heat-your-brooder.72482/
You can make one yourself using a heating pad that won't shut off automatically. I did this just recently and my little ones were near fully feathered by 4-5 weeks old and confidently mixed with my two older ones with no aggression issues at all. Even just your single pullet could cause some damage if introduced too soon and not properly. Or the opposite if you wait too long to integrate... the new ones can band together and bully the single one.
View attachment 1494395
In this pic you can see my brooder space under the poop tray where the heating pad is. The divider allows a safe place for the chicks where they can come and go but the big ones can't fit. After a few weeks, the little ones decided they didn't need it anymore and were fully integrated. So wonderful and quick!

This method seems like it would be great in your case because you don't want your big pullet to be lonely. The sooner she can bond with the new flock the better.

Another thing you might consider, if free ranging... a rooster will help protect your flock and keep a lookout for danger. But not all roos are good boys. You might want to get a couple baby cockerels and have them grow up with your little pullets, then keep the best one as the protector. The other will have to get "rehomed". Or you could wait until the pullets are fully grown and get a grown rooster. I'm not an expert on roos by any means, I've just heard they are great flock protectors for free ranging birds, but he would probably require some tough management on your part.

Great suggestions, I love your brooder/coop setup! I’m going to keep it in mind for when I eventually raise chicks!

 

[HuffleClaw]

Hey Krystal! I got my babies! (There is also a silver Sebright but the breeder forgot to write it down)

 

[KLIL]

Hey Krystal! I got my babies! (There is also a silver Sebright but the breeder forgot to write it down)

Omg!!!! They are beautiful!!!! Have you been working on names?

 

[KLIL]

Your new babies are so cute! I wish they could stay fluffy forever

If predators are a big problem, instead of free ranging all day, you might have to just build a big enclosed run. They could still get let out for limited playtime as long as you're around to supervise.

I wish you the best with your new flock!

My goal is for the chickens to free range but if it continues to fail ill make a really big coop for them. But I have people near me that free range successfully all day. So im going to continue to try and prevent until it fails a bit more then look at whats next.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Omg!!!! They are beautiful!!!! Have you been working on names?

Yep! I made a thread for ideas so if tou happen to see a name you like you can use it! ;’)

 

[KLIL]

Yep! I made a thread for ideas so if tou happen to see a name you like you can use it! ;’)

Sounds like a plan. I want mine all food or spice names now.
Hazel is ok. I haven't been letting her out to free range at the moment I want the fence fixed first. My partner and I have been going out and spending as much time with her as we possibly can. I don't like having her alone but she seems to love spending time with us. Makes me not as worried.
The chicks are sooo active they are running around being crazy. But cute as.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Sounds like a plan. I want mine all food or spice names now.
Hazel is ok. I haven't been letting her out to free range at the moment I want the fence fixed first. My partner and I have been going out and spending as much time with her as we possibly can. I don't like having her alone but she seems to love spending time with us. Makes me not as worried.
The chicks are sooo active they are running around being crazy. But cute as.

Good luck with everything! Also, Cinnamon is a good name for one?

 

[KLIL]

Good luck with everything! Also, Cinnamon is a good name for one?

Omg yesss! Its hard to tell them apart when they are babies.

 

[KLIL]

Hazel is almost 2 months old now!