One of my hens died today :(

[Cyn555]

my husband took out my chickens today in my yard and when I got home, one of them was dead it just started laying eggs 3 weeks ago there was no sign that an animal killed it and it was doing great when they were taken out. Now I am down to 2. If I go buy two more over the weekend I will I have a hard time introducing two new ones to my existing 6 month old hens? Some tips? I want to get more right away because if another one dies there will only be 1 left.

 

[BGcoop]

 

[Savanna’s chickens]

Maybe it ate something in your yard? I would double check

You shouldn’t have problems introducing new hens if they are the same relative size and you watch them for the first while! We found that of you have 1 chicken that has been alone it will get along with smaller chickens, this worked for us but it is different for every chicken

 

[Savanna’s chickens]

Keep in mind the chickens weren’t that much smaller! And we watched them for a while

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I’m so sorry for your loss! Bear hugs!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sorry about your loss. Definitely double check your set up to make sure there's no possibility that a predator got in.

Integration usually takes space, time and some patience. How much space do you have in your coop and in your run (in sq ft)? Photos help.

 

[aart]

Integration usually takes space, time and some patience. How much space do you have in your coop and in your run (in sq ft)? Photos help.

Ditto Dat^^^

..and here's some tips about....
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

 

[meetthebubus]

Sorry for your loss! Definetly listen to integration tips from above

 

[townchicks]

I'm sorry you lost your hen. I also totally understand your desire to get more "just in case". I wouldn't rush into that, however, without some good idea why she died. It would be better to wait, and observe your remaining hens closely for at least a month, to see if they are ok. If it's not too late, the best thing would be to have a necropsy done on the one that died. It may have not been anything contagious, but young birds don't "just die" There was something wrong, it just may not have been obvious to you. Prey animals like chickens, hide their illness well.