2 dead in coop, seemingly no injury or entry.

[lazy gardener]

Case solved. If deaths not caused by injury, they are caused by stress and poor animal husbandry.

 

[rebrascora]

I'm afraid I would have to agree with LG. A coop/run combo that size is way too small for that many chickens, especially when one is an adolescent male and spring is coming .... I know they are marketed to house 5 or 6 birds but they are just not big enough and the young male makes things so much worse. Any new birds need to be confined to the coop/run for several days and introduced properly or they will not be homed and with a cockerel running riot, they will have legged it from him as soon as they were let out and got lost.
Isolating, rehoming or processing the cockerel is the first step to take. I believe you said a new coop is under construction, Hopefully a much bigger one with large run because if there is also a predator lurking, she is going to need to confine them, so that needs to be a priority.
If she decides to keep the cockerel, she would be better with more hens but they need to be introduced slowly and carefully and I would keep him separate from them for several months until his hormones calm down a bit.

 

[lilmillefleur]

I agree.
It's a shame they couldn't provide a big enough coop.

 

[AllenK RGV]

BTW can anyone link me a good article on new flock introductions? I suspect both myself and OP could benefit from reviewing it, I know there are articles in the learning center but just saying this is at least a 2 for one!

I am considering ordering some springtime chicks to add to my flock or having my daughter bring some stock back from Germany at that time....

 

[blackbelt]

Sorry to hear about the loss. I've thought about that when setting up my all my livestock and what I came up with is a radio. I keep it on all night and have never had a problem. Knock on wood.

 

[keesmom]

BTW can anyone link me a good article on new flock introductions? I suspect both myself and OP could benefit from reviewing it, I know there are articles in the learning center but just saying this is at least a 2 for one!

I am considering ordering some springtime chicks to add to my flock or having my daughter bring some stock back from Germany at that time....

There are several threads on introducing new birds. Personally I use the look but no touch method when introducing new birds. For a quick read here is a good post from aart.

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

Are you bringing eggs or birds in from Germany? Any issues getting the import permit? I'd love to import birds from the UK but I need to win the lottery first.

 

[AllenK RGV]

There are several threads on introducing new birds. Personally I use the look but no touch method when introducing new birds. For a quick read here is a good post from aart.

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

Are you bringing eggs or birds in from Germany? Any issues getting the import permit? I'd love to import birds from the UK but I need to win the lottery first.

Maybe I am naive I just assumed it would be the same as bringing in a dog/cat from Germany. We have done that several times in the past in 2007 and 2013. Just have their passport and health certificates. Is there something more involved?

 

[rebrascora]

@AllenK@new2this
I think there may well be additional restrictions because they are food chain animals. Also chickens suffer badly from stress, so you could spend a lot of money, only for them to die..... so not really fair to them in my opinion.

 

[keesmom]

Maybe I am naive I just assumed it would be the same as bringing in a dog/cat from Germany. We have done that several times in the past in 2007 and 2013. Just have their passport and health certificates. Is there something more involved?

Yes. If you are importing live birds they need to be quarantined for 30 days, at your expense, at an approved USDA facility (NYC or Miami). Plus the hoops the European breeder has to jump through.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou.../import-live-animals/SA_Avian/CT_live_poultry

 

[keesmom]

And the regulations for hatching eggs

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...a_entry_requirements/sa_avian/ct_poultry_eggs