Bear attack--Only one hen left

[eb521]

Hi everyone! Last night we had (what must have been) a black bear come through and rip off the side of our chicken run fencing and flip off the lid of their hen house. We saw a ton of black feathers over by the woods and we're assuming at the very least, one of the chickens is dead and gone. Hoping that the other two might possible be hiding and show up later on. But for now we only have one hen left! She's healthy, but now she's all alone. We have chicks in the garage but they're only 3-4 weeks old and it's still too cold out for them. We live in northeast PA, prob another month before they can be moved outside.
Is there anything special we should do with our lone hen now?? Other than just keeping her healthy?
Obviously we're getting electric fencing set up ASAP

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I'm sorry to hear about your bear attack!

My tractors and coops will keep out pretty much any predators (not egg eating rat snakes though!) but bears are another thing altogether. Our state law recently changed so that I can now legally shoot a bear that was tearing up my henhouse, but I'd really rather not. My dog is probably what keeps our local bears from calling. She's very good at keeping the coyotes and foxes at bay as well.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I would give the lone hen some electrolytes and sugar water and then move her to a safe place (maybe she can go in the garage near the chicks?) until you have the coop fixed and predator-proofed.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would not try to give her a companion right away. She is probably still in shock and needs to recover from that first, at least a few days. Adding a strange hen too soon would probably stress her. Can you keep her near the chicks so she can see and hear them but maybe with some fencing between them so she can't touch them? Over time, maybe in a week or two you could integrate them with her. Let's see what others suggest, but that's what I think I would do. I am sorry for your losses.

 

[eb521]

I would not try to give her a companion right away. She is probably still in shock and needs to recover from that first, at least a few days. Adding a strange hen too soon would probably stress her. Can you keep her near the chicks so she can see and hear them but maybe with some fencing between them so she can't touch them? Over time, maybe in a week or two you could integrate them with her. Let's see what others suggest, but that's what I think I would do. I am sorry for your losses.

Thank you! today, she has been either in her run or walking around the yard next to myself or the children, at least she is moving/eating/drinking normally so far. We made a little makeshift spot for her to sleep in garage at night until we have the electric fence set up, but I like your idea for integrating with the chicks slowly!

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

Thank you! today, she has been either in her run or walking around the yard next to myself or the children, at least she is moving/eating/drinking normally so far. We made a little makeshift spot for her to sleep in garage at night until we have the electric fence set up, but I like your idea for integrating with the chicks slowly!

Have you found the other hens yet or traces of them?

 

[eb521]

Have you found the other hens yet or traces of them?

No we had 2 brown golden comets and 2 black olive eggers , we found a ton of black feathers in the woods but no brown feathers so we're hoping....we walked the woods a while around the house hoping they'd hear our voices and come but no luck.

 

[Appalachickens]

That's hard. I am braced for losses with my chickens, but I still fret when I can't find one.

 

[eb521]

That's hard. I am braced for losses with my chickens, but I still fret when I can't find one.

Yes! I know this is the risk we take with chickens, and try not to get too attached but I can't help it

 

[Appalachickens]

Yes! I know this is the risk we take with chickens, and try not to get too attached but I can't help it

Totally get it - I cried like a baby when one of my hens got killed by our dog. And even the game fowl who are free ranging 24/7 come running to greet me in the morning. How do you NOT get attached?