Quarantine with only one bird left in original flock?

[aart]

Glad it's working out!

Not sure if I'm seeing this correctly,
but it looks sharp and could be an injury hazard

 

[Mrs. K]

Another trick is to switch them around, let one pair in the coop, go to the dog crate, and the ones in the dog crate into the big set up. This allows the birds to see the others in the home territory, get used to the idea. Also it allows the newbies to explore the area without being chased. R If you are limited on space, and you might be, this monkeying around can make a go of it.

Mrs K

 

[squadleader]

Haha, photos providing proof there're still alright.

Prior to Photo Shop, it was common for kidnappers to have to provide "proof of life" photos with today's newspaper, before a ransom would be paid.

Your phrasing reminded me of that, I guess now we can talk details of the ransom drop, since you have indeed provided proof of life!

Seriously though, congrats on making the best of a tough situation! I'm introductions have gone well.

Before starting my own chicken adventure, I had no idea how mean chickens could be to each other!

 

[AccidentalChickenLady]

I am thrilled to report that all four birds spent the night together in the proper coop last night. I let them free-range in the yard all day yesterday, progressively moving the extra food and water closer toward, then ultimately inside, the run they'd be sharing. There were a few squawks and pecks, but I saw no blood, and no prolonged aggression. The baby Orpington, Georgia, is definitely the bottom of the pecking order, and Ruth, the white EE, appears to be at the top of the order, though I had thought Frida, the brown/black/grey EE, would be in charge. I'll keep some extra food and water in the run for a few more days, but I'm optimistic that everyone will be able to live mostly peacefully in their shared home for the next several years. Raven, our last original girl, seems to be adjusting reasonably well to her new siblings, though she turns to pick on Georgia whenever she (Raven) gets pecked by one of the older birds. I've never seen more than two pecks in succession, though, which seems reasonably normal for birds figuring out their place in the flock, right?
THANK YOU again to everyone who commented here and offered support, especially @Mrs. K, @sourland, and @Folly's place. Here's a photo of all four girls chilling in the coop this morning as proof that everyone made it through the integration:

 

[AccidentalChickenLady]

Glad it's working out!

Not sure if I'm seeing this correctly,
but it looks sharp and could be an injury hazard
View attachment 1258473

The photo makes that angle look sharper than it is - it's actually a rounded piece of shelving fixture I put in above the poop boards to prevent the birds from flapping up and knocking down the boards. The edges themselves are rounded, and it comes to a fat rounded point, rather than the sharp, square edges that it appears to be in that photo. Thank you for paying such close attention, though!

 

[trufadog]

We have a similar story to your first batch. We lost one of our six a day after they all started laying. Then we had to kill one because she was too sick and not getting better. Then, our housemate didn't tell us that they dogs broke through the fence between dog area and free range area until all the chickens were maimed or dead. Then he says: The dogs got through the fence when you were gone. So, we have one chicken left, Chicken LIttle. She was our favorite and completely sweet and friendly. When her wounds get better, we are hoping to get a bunch of chicks. We have a huge run and coop. The issue is that we feel like we are really bad Jr. Farmers because we have managed to make every mistake with the chickens so far. Support?

 

[Folly's place]

Most of us have been there and done that, and had difficult learning experiences. I've had chickens a long time, and can guarantee that I've made way more mistakes than you have!
We learn, and move forward. Predators and biosecurity are the biggest issues, and it does take disasters to inspire that Ft. Knox coop build! Then, it's keeping it in good shape, and enlarging it to house more chickens...
Electric fencing is a great help managing dogs and other ground predators.
Chicken Little needs friends! I just got more chicks from Cackle (chicken math run wild!) and recommend them, and Murray McMurray, depending on where you live.
Mary

 

[trufadog]

Thank you Folly! I really appreciate the support. The coop is super secure. It is a huge chicken palace. We thought our fence between dog area and chicken free range area was fine but it wasn't fine and we messed up. I have already put in a call to our local Feed and Seed company in Santa Cruz, CA, and she has ordered me two of every kind that we had last time. I am hoping chicken little gets well soon so she will appreciate the company and not feel overwhelmed while healing her flesh wounds.