new coop not very sucessful, need advice

[lizzy1331]

I am a first time chicken parent! I thought it would be a nice experience for my 5 yo daughter and I to share together. So far it has been stressful and sad.

I built a tractor shelter, we live on a large property. We bought 4 pullets that were 4 weeks old, ameraucanas. Now two weeks later, one chicken is left.
On the first night home, #1 got pulled through the wire by a raccoon.
The next day I reinforced the perimeter with smaller gauge wire and wood.

One week later in we came home and found #2 dead in the coop. No blood or noticeable injury. She was the " runt of litter" a bit smaller and definitely the most pliant, she let me kid carry her around, etc.

Today we came home to find #3 dead, in the coop, seeming attacked/pecked by the one remaining chicken. There was blood and wounds/holes on the hens head. The one that is left, #4 is the alpha hen.

I did discover that we have poison Hemlock growing on our property.
So in theory that maybe killed #2?
Maybe #3 and #4 ate hemlock too and went a little crazy and fought?

Questions:
1. Can I use Roundup to kill the hemlock, will roundup kill the chickens too? Other ideas. I do not really want to build a pen.
Idea was to keep them in the tractor while we are not home and let them free range when we are home.

2. Can I introduce a new pullet to the Alpha hen? As I don't really want her to be alone.

3. Are there other things I need to research in my environment/ set up that are not safe, or could be contributing, or is this normal?
My 5 year is taking it better than me. I am awake at night worrying about the chickens, now THE chicken!

Tractor has raised closed roosting area.
Has 3/4 roof coverage
Has auto waterer and home feeder bucket.
I got the feed from our general feed and seed, chick blend.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[joletabey]

First off, WELCOME to BYC.
Second, I am sorry you are having such a bad experience-

I don't know much myself yet, but I would google the hemlock thing and see what it says- you can do a search here, too. This site has been so helpful to me in so many areas. The second chicken might have had some internal issues- if it was the smallest and they were all the same age, that can be a cue that something is wrong.
As to the one pecking the other to death, I am a little surprised it would have happened that fast. Usually you notice a few bald spots or pecked spots before something that drastic happens. Hopefully someone more experienced will jump in here.

Pull the weeds close to the chicken pen. I think you can use Roundup I other areas as long as the chickens aren't in the sprayed area for a certain amount of time- usually there are directions on the bottle.

You can introduce another hen or two, but do it slowly- there are all sorts of threads here on how to do it. GOOD LUCK.. I am sorry I am not more help!

 

[snowflake]

Welcome to BYC sorry you had such a bad first experience, I have only been a chicken fanatic for a year, they can be so much fun! Now for you problem, the chicks could have had some kind of disease or it could be poison. I would think it likely your #3 hen died before the other started to peck at it they will do that to an injured or sick bird. I would not let the hen near the area that you round up but I don't know for how long. I have an area I need to either round up or till I plan to fence it off to the hens. Good luck withe you bird that is left . Yes you can add more hens but make sure they are all the same size as they will seek pecking order