Death of an Columbian Wyandotte

This morning my husband I are were crushed to learn that our 4.5 month old Columbian Wyandotte had died last night due to what we think was heat exhaustion.  We have two other chickens, RR and Buff, same age.  We would like to get two more chickens.  What age should we look for?  Same age as the current ones or get baby chickens?  Our preference is to have ones that can be outside in our coop with the others.  Thoughts?

 

Also, if you have two chickens that you are looking to send to a good home, please let us know.

 

--Morning Mother

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Replies

  • In addition to the shade from an orange tree & a wading pan, (which 2 of them sit in!), my set-up includes a small mister that I turn on when the temperature hits 100; & I turn it off before they roost.  When it gets hot, they will stand in front of the mister, and when it isn't turned on, they will squawk; the same noise they make when they are out of feed.
    • Thanks for the suggestion.  That seems like a good idea.  It sounds like you have you ladies pretty trained
  • I'm so sorry to hear about your chicken! The heat is very intense right now.

    As for what to get, you can go either way, really. This is what I've learned from our flocks:

    When you introduce chickens of different ages or flocks they always stay as separate flocks to some degree, but they do learn to live together.

    They need to be introduced slowly. Older birds are known to pick young ones to death, and birds from separate flocks can be aggressive when they vie for position. A certain amount of "pecking order" behavior is to be expected. Keep them in separate spaces, but next to each other so they can see each other and learn each others' voices. Over time you can remove the barrier. You'll know when it's time by observing their behavior, and if they get aggressive after the introduction, you can always separate them out for a while longer.

    If you go with chicks, set up their area next to or inside the coop, and then wait until they are eating pellets like the older birds. By then they'll be pretty well accepted. We even introduced turkeys to the chicken flock this way.
  • Sorry to hear of your loss.  Do you have a wading pool for them?  I am sure others will have some good advice, but I would try for chickens the approximate same size/age, easier introduction.  The wading pool does not have to be deep, a couple of inches in a tub or baby pool (like the ones sold for infants) does the job, and you can dump the dirty water into the garden.  They will get in it and stand to cool off and they will drink it - you can't keep them from doing that.
    • Thanks Catherine for your note; they do have a large shallow saucer (similar to a pot saucer) and we fill it with fresh water every day.  We also freeze a water bottle to put into the saucer to keep it cool.  Their coop in 100% in the shade.
    • Hi Maggie,

       

      Good - you might measure the water depth, though, it should be deep enough that it covers their feet and up the legs some.  As Sheri said, the heat is intense right now, and still air can keep it keep the temps up.  What is your shade made of? Natural like trees or shrubs or shade cloth?  If shade cloth, the density can be a factor in keeping the heat IN, as opposed to keep it cool.  Wish you luck on your new ones.

    • Thanks Sheri and Catherine.  We will look for a deeper dish, good suggestion.  As for the shade, we have large pecan trees in the BYard so natural.
    • You might want to make sure your chickens are using the wading pool.  A couple of mine were scared of it and I had to teach them it was OK to stand in.  LOL
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