School me on adding to my flock (we have two and want more)

[blefky]

Quote:
Love it when I learn something new! Had no idea that chickens have a keen sense of smell. I'm going to try the "vinegar solution" when I integrate this year's chicks and see if I notice a difference in behavior. Thanks!

 

[Badbaby05]

Can you find a trio of hens? If it was me I would swap out the 2 hens and get 3 that have always been together. Just my opinion tho

 

[Judy]

How big IS your coop, anyway? Any chance it would accommodate 4 hens? I'd be inclined to get 2 Barred Rocks, or whatever breed you choose; hopefully, integration would go much better with equal numbers. RIR have a reputation for being aggressive -- of course you might have two that are the opposite; chickens are individuals, after all.

Here's a good basic article on integrating new chickens:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Can you find a trio of hens? If it was me I would swap out the 2 hens and get 3 that have always been together. Just my opinion tho

I know this poster means well but don't think he/she understands the bond that forms between hens you've raised from chicks and their care taker. My hens are pets and I too was heart broken when I lost one.

I loved learning about the sense of smell. I'd use the vinegar solution but try to fit in two young hens or pullets. It is a hard decision but introducing one would probably be very difficult.

Best of luck!

 

[froggiesheins]

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I know this poster means well but don't think he/she understands the bond that forms between hens you've raised from chicks and their care taker. My hens are pets and I too was heart broken when I lost one.

I loved learning about the sense of smell. I'd use the vinegar solution but try to fit in two young hens or pullets. It is a hard decision but introducing one would probably be very difficult.

Best of luck!

great post and I agree......

 

[Wizbop]

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There's no way I could handle letting go of the two that I have. I was SUPER attached to the one that I lost and no way would I want to start over. We've raised these girls since they were 10 days old. I feel like they know our yard, our dog, our child, etc,.

 

[Wizbop]

Quote:
There's no way I could handle letting go of the two that I have. I was SUPER attached to the one that I lost and no way would I want to start over. We've raised these girls since they were 10 days old. I feel like they know our yard, our dog, our child, etc,.

 

[Wizbop]

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Thanks for the article. I'll take the time to check it out tonight when I have some time to myself. Our coop is a small tractor coop and it has 2 nesting boxes in it. We've had to increase the height of the walls because the girls were fighting over the boxes. **eye roll** It will fit three hens ideally.