A lone chicken?

[Spunky1]

I lost my dear Buttercup during the night to a respiratory infection. I only had two hens and now I'm really not sure what to do for her sister hen Primrose. Get her one younger, or same age friend? She's four. Or two new friends? Or can she be happy as a single chicken? My chickens are my pets and I'm not sure I want to keep going through this heartache when they die. I don't want to give her to anyone else as then, not only will she have the trauma of losing her friend, but also the stress of having to find her place in a new flock and a new place.

 

[theoldchick]

Sorry for your loss. Your chicken might enjoy having company. However, you must find a hen who is friendly. Try to find one who is similar in appearance and age to the one that died. Also, make sure your hen is not harboring the same disease that took her friend before introducing a new bird.

 

[aldarita]

If I were you, I would get two pullets for your hen and introduce them slowly and with the see-no touch method. This way if you lose one of them, you will still have two left to keep each other company. It doesn't matter if the ones you introduce look a lot like your existing hen, to her they will be new comers and will have to establish the pecking order regardless of their looks and age. I believe it is easier to introduce young pullets with a mature hen but still have to do the introduction slowly.
I agree with the previous poster, first make sure that your hen doesn't have the respiratory infection your other hen had before you bring new birds. Just watch her for few days and see if she shows any symptoms.
Good luck!

 

[texsuze]

Condolences on the loss of your little friend. My girls are pure pets as well. My 7 year old black australorp passed in July--just one of a few I have lost over the years, but it never gets easier to confront. Don't let their passing keep you from the delight of tending and caring for them. They have such short lifespans anyway, compared to humans. I agree with others to find some pullets to carefully integrate into a flock--much better than a lone chicken. I suggest finding pullets of the same breed, though. Best of luck.

 

[Mrs. K]

If your live hen is 4, she may pass very quickly. I have often had flock mates die within a month of each other. Chickens can be long lived, but generally 4 is an old chicken. What I am really saying is if you do not get more birds, very shortly you may be without birds. If you are done with the hobby that is fine.

On the other hand, if you like having birds, you could just wait, go through the winter with just one bird, wait until she passes and then add two new birds. Without any introduction issues.

Or you can add a pair of younger pullets. Personally, it is tough when you loose one, but I sure love getting new chicks.

 

[aart]

Ditto Mrs. K's post.

Also, make sure your hen is not harboring the same disease that took her friend before introducing a new bird.

I would bet that she is also carrying the same disease.

 

[Spunky1]

I think I'm leaning towards getting one or two pullets. Would the two newbies not gang up on the older hen? If I got just one wouldn't both be more inclined to make friends rather than fight and stay on their own? Or maybe get her some fertile eggs to hatch?
I really wish chickens were all happy-go-lucky relaxed friendly creatures, things would be so much simpler!

 

[sourland]

As others have said their is a strong possibility that your remaining hen could pass the illness to any new birds that you add.

 

[aart]

I think I'm leaning towards getting one or two pullets.
1. Would the two newbies not gang up on the older hen?
2. If I got just one wouldn't both be more inclined to make friends rather than fight and stay on their own?
3. Or maybe get her some fertile eggs to hatch?

1. Could go either way. The existing bird(s) usually attack the newcomers to protect their territory and resources(feed/water/space). Size and numbers don't always help.
2. Not necessarily.
3. Is she broody?

I really wish chickens were all happy-go-lucky relaxed friendly creatures, things would be so much simpler!

Romance meets Reality.


The respiratory issue is a serious consideration....your existing hen is very likely carrying that illness, even tho she may not have any obvious symptoms. It's a risk you'll have to weigh if bringing in other birds. The newbies may also have pests and diseases that they could give to your existing hen. Integration is stressful, stress can bring latent disease to the forefront very quickly.

Another thing to keep in mind is that integration is best done with 'extra' and separate space...do you have a way to set that up?


Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

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

 

[Spunky1]

My remaining hen appears healthy, but if I am to presume she's infected or a carrier, does that mean I can't bring in new chickens for her?