New to raising chickens

[Jerucapofisrael]

Can anyone give advice... I am new to raising chickens ( 2 months in) and 2 of my 3 full grown chickens were just killed. Will the one left be OK?

 

[silkiecuddles]

Hi, welcome to BYC!!!

Chickens are flock creatures, so if you could get another chicken for the remaining bird, that would be ideal. CHickens can get depressed if their friend dies.

 

[Jerucapofisrael]

Hi, thanks for your reply.I was told a new, strange chicken would probably cause her to fight I want to get chicks but I know they have to be raised before I put them in the hen house...I also got her a new hen house to protect her and so she is probably stressed too...

 

[silkiecuddles]

If introduced properly, then there should be little or no fighting involved. But I really think you need a companion for your chicken

 

[silkiecuddles]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

Here's a great article on introducing new chickens, by @Mountain Peeps

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Does she have a safe, covered run to go out in during the day. Whatever killed your two hens, will be back. Predators keep coming back till they aren't any more chickens left, unless you stop them permanently.

 

[Jerucapofisrael]

I did buy a hen house,before they were in a make shift cage. I will know in the morning if my new cage is predator proof. I will try to find a friend for my hen if you all think she will be OK with a new adult hen in the same hen house. I bought 6 new chicks today and they will be in my bathroom for the next 8 weeks, I hope they do well

 

[N F C]

Integrating new birds takes a bit of time and needs to be done carefully so they don't get badly hurt. New birds must first be isolated at least 2-3 weeks so you can be sure you aren't accidently bringing in an illness or pest to your existing chicken. Then try the "look but don't touch" way of getting them used to each other for a couple weeks. Once they get acquainted you can usually bring them all together with minimum pecking. They will determine their pecking order but as long as blood isn't shed and serious injury caused, they'll be fine working it out.

I know that all sounds a bit intimidating but your one chicken does need companionship unless maybe you want to keep her inside as a house chicken (people do that really).

If you have questions, always feel free to ask. Everyone is here to help you out.

 

[Jerucapofisrael]

Thanks so much to all of you for your helpful replies! I will try to find a friend and since i have 2 coops I can separate them to get use to each others presence... Now to find one...