Replacing a flock member

[Shen11]

Last night we said goodbye to sweet Daisy. She was our first loss. We're sad, but it was necessary to euthanize her as she was very sick.
Since we live in the city, we can only have 4 hens. Should I replace flock members as they pass, or wait until the whole flock goes? I'm worried the three remaining 4 year old girls will bully a new pullet, but I also want to keep their flock numbers up. Thank you in advance for your advice!

 

[NatJ]

Last night we said goodbye to sweet Daisy. She was our first loss. We're sad, but it was necessary to euthanize her as she was very sick.
Since we live in the city, we can only have 4 hens. Should I replace flock members as they pass, or wait until the whole flock goes? I'm worried the three remaining 4 year old girls will bully a new pullet, but I also want to keep their flock numbers up. Thank you in advance for your advice!

Maybe wait until you are down to 2, then get two more. That way you don't have a single chicken (older or newer), but each has a buddy.

 

[Shen11]

Maybe wait until you are down to 2, then get two more. That way you don't have a single chicken (older or newer), but each has a buddy.

Oh that sounds like a more balanced approach. Thanks for the input!

 

[homesteading101]

Im sorry to hear about Daisy, this is my 10 year old Brahma I just call her momma. Gonna be sad when she passes I'm surprised she's still going

 

[K0k0shka]

Maybe wait until you are down to 2, then get two more. That way you don't have a single chicken (older or newer), but each has a buddy.

I would recommend this as well. It's hard to integrate a single chicken without the risk of bullying and rejection. With 2 vs. 2 they'd be evenly matched so nobody will be singled out.

 

[Mrs. K]

How old are your birds?

 

[Shen11]

Im sorry to hear about Daisy, this is my 10 year old Brahma I just call her momma. Gonna be sad when she passes I'm surprised she's still going

Thank you, it is sad, but we gave her a great life and ushered her into the beyond with mercy and dignity. She's buried near the coop to rest by her sisters

 

[Shen11]

How old are your birds?

They're a little over 4. 2 red stars, now 1, and 2 barred rocks.

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot depends on your set up. Do you have a good size run? Do you have clutter in the run? Hideouts, roosts? Multiple feed stations?

What I have done in the past is add chicks about 3 week old to a safety zone inside the run. They have an insulated box, wind protection, but not added heat. They are enclosed and safe from the hens. If you put a box in the zone, they will naturally go there at night. Then you can scoop that up, lock in the coop for safety at night.

After two or three days, I just lift the gate and fencing off the ground 4-5 inches. Big enough that the chicks can get out of the safety zone. I wait with them till one of them gets brave enough to come out, and I give a mock chase and they scuttle back to safety. Near this, I have a pallet laid flat on a couple of rocks or bricks, so that there is a another place a chick can scuttle to safety.

What this allows is for the chicks to explore and retreat on their terms. And generally works very well. Chicks are as quick as lightening, and can outrun most hens, if there is a place to escape to.

Generally, what you need is a place for the chicks to escape too, and hens really don't pay anymore attention to chicks, than junco's. I feed in the safety zone. I keep it set up for two or three weeks, and they work it out.

I would get 3 chicks. They have company and a huddle buddy. With the birds you have, there is a strong chance from here on out, that you may loose more. Often times it is not uncommon for these breeds to die around 3-4 years. I know people post about 8 year old birds, but not real common.

If not, you can always sell a layer or a pair later at point of lay, by then, the pullet will be fully accepted in the flock.

Mrs K