Anyone out there with just ONE pet chicken?

[robphenix]

I'm looking for advice. We have only one chicken left from what was for the past year and a half a tiny flock of 3. (Cancer took Lindy very quickly; Nelly died of impacted crop when she began eating pine litter after Lindy died. Perhaps she might have made it but the vet couldn't see her for a few days - long story) We're devastated, because they have been truly beloved pets.

Now we have only our little Hildy left. I understand they're much happier in a flock, even a small one, as they are social animals, but sadly, I don't think that getting more chickens is going to be an option, so I was wondering:

Is there anyone else out there successfully keeping just one chicken as a happy, healthy pet?

If so, any advice? We love her and want her to be as happy as possible.

Thanks for any input.

 

[roostersandhens]

Some people on BYC have a indoor chicken. I would get 2 more hens If I were u. 3 is a great # of chickens.
Good Luck!

 

[Mattemma]

Well I have had hens in the house when they were sick or injured. I always joked to my friend that I could give her a hen,and she would get an egg a day.

Anyway if I were down to one hen or just my roo I would bring it in the house.Keep it in my dog crate.It would be just fine. No way would I let it roam the house even with a diaper on. I don't even let the dogs all over! My house hens were always ok.I kept them inside for 2 weeks to 3 months.

If I had nothing I might get 2 or 3 bantam hens and a bantam roo to keep in a large cage inside.I have to say though even just one poo stinks bad. I can smell when my currently in the house hen goes.I have to air the area out!

Your hen will be ok inside.Sorry for your losses.

 

[robphenix]

Thanks for the info. We have brought her inside, and she seems to have adjusted reasonably well by now, but no one is home during the day. I'm a teacher, so I've actually been bringing her to work with me. I made a 3x6 enclosure in the back of my (large) classroom by wrapping chicken wire around a table. It's been interesting for the kids, to be sure. I thought it might help her get used to not having the other 2 around, without getting too depressed, if she had distractions and new settings.
I don't want to leave her home alone all day, though. We've decided that getting a new chicken would be a good idea, but it's been hard to find. We thought of getting a chick, but they only sell 4 at a time.
Tough situation, still not sure what to do long term. Sure wish this hadn't happened! =(
Anyway, thanks again for the input.