Advice on selecting a hen friend for my lonely hen.

[Hens having Fun]

Hi all, unfortunately my hen just passed away. its night time and she went to bed i heard a flap in her coop roosting compartment and she just passed. the other hen is in there still. should I leave her until the morning so the existing hen understands what happened and that her friend didn't just disappear? (and doesnt keep looking for her)?
Also I know one hen is a lonely hen and I will need to find her a companion. She is aged 7yrs old and a Silver Sussex hen and has lived with one other hen (a red/ brown Sussex) her whole life. What age hen should I be looking for her ? Should I get her 1or 2 friends? Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any help and advice anyone can give me?

 

[SueT]

Hi, sorry about your hen. 7 yrs is pretty old, I wonder if she might have the same fate, if it were something contagious for example. If she shows no signs of illness after waiting an appropriate amount of time, then consider what to get.
It’s spring there, yes? What about getting a few baby chicks and raising them where she can see them, eventually integrating them….

 

[Hens having Fun]

Hi, sorry about your hen. 7 yrs is pretty old, I wonder if she might have the same fate, if it were something contagious for example. If she shows no signs of illness after waiting an appropriate amount of time, then consider what to get.
It’s spring there, yes? What about getting a few baby chicks and raising them where she can see them, eventually integrating them….

thank you for your kind words thank you for your advice, I believe the hen that passed had a reproductive issue so not contagious, yes its spring here, i really was wanting to get a adult hen( if its suitable for the remaining hen). im located on only 600metre square block and don't have a lot of space for more than 2-3 hens in total as they free range. I noticed a Araucana Grey hen for sale in same area as me, the owner sold all of them and one left so I thought maybe both lonely hens could be together.

 

[SueT]

I’d go for it. First set up a see-no-touch arrangement, and monitor reactions. But considering that the other hen has lost her flock as well, I would think it could be a win-win for both.

 

[Hens having Fun]

thank you for your advice , really appreciate it

 

[Hens having Fun]

 

[SueT]

View attachment 3700777

Which is the new one?

 

[Hens having Fun]

The lighter hen is the new hen (Araucana Grey) her name is Charlize, she loves her big sister Cher (Silver Sussex). Both hens are really enjoying each other's company.

Which is the new one?