1 hen left in flock- how to manage

[jnicolem737]

I have been raising backyard chickens (production red) for just over three years now (as pets). I only have 2 and today, sadly, I lost one to a predator. I'm not sure what got her but I'm devastated and equally concerned about my remaining girl. I have read that it's best not to only have one chicken, since they are social anaimals so I don't know if letting her live alone is an option. I've considered giving her to a friend that also has a backyard flock of 2 or seeing if I could bring 1 more adult hen to live with mine but I know either could also cause stress to my surviving hen. I'm at complete loss and just want my sweet Ginger to be ok. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

I strongly suggest either seeing if Ginger will be ok with your friend's chickens or getting some new ones. As that breed tends to be rather aggressive, I'd suggest getting another of the same breed or a similar one.

 

[jnicolem737]

I strongly suggest either seeing if Ginger will be ok with your friend's chickens or getting some new ones. As that breed tends to be rather aggressive, I'd suggest getting another of the same breed or a similar one.

Do you think she will be ok for a week, until I can either move her or get her a new friend?

 

[ThenNotSoChickenMaster]

Yes, I believe she will be fine. Get her a mirror so she can look at herself and not feel lonely.

 

[jnicolem737]

That's a good idea, I'll give it a try. Thank you! She has spent every day of her life with her "sister", so I've been so worried about her today.

 

[aart]

She'll be fine, any change in flock numbers are adjusted to after a few days.

Adding another bird might be tricky, as would adding this bird to another flock.
You might think she's 'lonely' and would welcome a buddy,
but she also might(most likely) attack the newcomer as a threatening 'stranger'.
Don't attribute human emotions and behaviors to chickens,
learn their needs and social order to better manage your flock.

Very small flocks can be much harder to manage as there's usually less space to work with for integrations, and fewer birds to spread the pecking order around.

Read up on integration and get set up before bringing another bird in.
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

 

[N F C]

Can't really add much to what @aart spelled out so well, but fwiw, whether Ginger is added to your friend's flock or you bring a new bird into her area, integration issues will arise and have to be addressed. Change doesn't come easy to chickens so be prepared.

 

[bobbieschicks]

You don't say where you live, but if you need a source for adult hens you could check your local Craigslist or similar listing service. You can also check with your animal control or shelter - many times rural areas have chickens that were rescued from deplorable conditions. You could also check BYC buy/sell/trade forums for adults. I know our local Tractor Supply has chicken swap events at various times of the year. I purchased two baby chicks from a local BYC person when I only managed to hatch one chick before. Many people would rather give away their old cockerels or hens then butcher them provided they will have a good new home.

Of course integration issues will still apply and isolation for disease control will be important.

 

[jnicolem737]

She'll be fine, any change in flock numbers are adjusted to after a few days.

Adding another bird might be tricky, as would adding this bird to another flock.
You might think she's 'lonely' and would welcome a buddy,
but she also might(most likely) attack the newcomer as a threatening 'stranger'.
Don't attribute human emotions and behaviors to chickens,
learn their needs and social order to better manage your flock.

Very small flocks can be much harder to manage as there's usually less space to work with for integrations, and fewer birds to spread the pecking order around.

Read up on integration and get set up before bringing another bird in.
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

Thank you so much for your response and info. I'm defineitly leaning more toward keeping her and intergrating new chickens to my flock, rather than giving her up. Since I'm no longer going to let her free range without supervision, I was already considering building a huge, new run for her and possible new friends but that likely won't be until spring. In live in Cincinnati and our warmer fall days are numbered. The new pen I have plans for sound like a better scenario for adding to my flock and I will definitely have time to do my research prior to adding any new hens. From what I've learned from you and others, I think Ginger will be ok this winter until I can expand and integrate properly, would you agree? Also, let's say she does great alone all winter and is back to her old self, would it be terrible for me to reconsider and just keep (and spoil) her alone? I've read so many conflicting things about having a single hen.

 

[jnicolem737]

You don't say where you live, but if you need a source for adult hens you could check your local Craigslist or similar listing service. You can also check with your animal control or shelter - many times rural areas have chickens that were rescued from deplorable conditions. You could also check BYC buy/sell/trade forums for adults. I know our local Tractor Supply has chicken swap events at various times of the year. I purchased two baby chicks from a local BYC person when I only managed to hatch one chick before. Many people would rather give away their old cockerels or hens then butcher them provided they will have a good new home.

Of course integration issues will still apply and isolation for disease control will be important.

Thank you! I have a few trusted people I know I can get adult hens from. I really don't care if they aren't laying anymore as my girls don't lay all that much these days anyway. I just enjoy having them. I'm going to do some research and decide how to best to proceed. I've been sick about this. I love my girls and between losing Belina in such a horrific way and being worried about Ginger, jointing this forum was the best thing for me.