BIG QUESTION DO CHICKENS GET LONELY PR STRESSED

[Cakes dawhisper]

So as Im having problems with my flock I'm relocating some of them and I want to keep two of my hens do y'all think there going to get stressed if I only keep two ?.??

 

[akroberts1085]

They will know that there's less of them but it shouldn't stress them out. I think adding to the flock causes the stress because they have to figure out the pecking order and they act like they're not getting enough to eat.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Are those two best buddies or can barely stand each other?
Why only keep two? If you keep two and something happens and you lose one then you would definitely have one lonely hen.
Three would be better but then many people say three isn't good because it leaves one as the odd hen out.
Four sounds better. But then again if you have four you might as well make it an even half dozen.
OK I'm not gonna be much help here....

 

[CabritaChicks]

I think that- inevitable happens, and you don't want just one. So I think three is a better number.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You don't get guarantees with living animals and their behaviors. They are each individuals so you don't know how they will react.

I agree with keeping a minimum of three if you can.

I would expect any you keep to possibly be upset for a day or two. Chickens don't like change but they can be very adaptable. The pecking order has changed, they'll need to reset that. It may be extremely smooth or they may fight about it. In either case I'd expect them to quickly work things out and get on with life.

 

[Cakes dawhisper]

Are those two best buddies or can barely stand each other?
Why only keep two? If you keep two and something happens and you lose one then you would definitely have one lonely hen.
Three would be better but then many people say three isn't good because it leaves one as the odd hen out.
Four sounds better. But then again if you have four you might as well make it an even half dozen.
OK I'm not gonna be much help here....

I wished I can keep four but where I live they only let me keep one but I'm going against the law and keeping two .

 

[The Moonshiner]

I wished I can keep four but where I live they only let me keep one but I'm going against the law and keeping two .

Where in the world thinks one hen is a good number and a good life for the hen? That's ridiculous

 

[Cakes dawhisper]

Where in the world thinks one hen is a good number and a good life for the hen? That's ridiculous

That's what I'm saying some laws need to be changed around over here

 

[CabritaChicks]

That's what I'm saying some laws need to be changed around over here

Who made that rule, if you don’t mind me asking?
Because I’ve never seen an actual law anywhere that says you can only keep one chicken. Most of the time, that kind of rule comes from an apartment complex, HOA, or property management policy — usually a “one pet per unit” type of thing.

The issue is that keeping a single chicken is considered cruel from an animal-welfare standpoint. Every major animal-welfare organization — including the Humane Society, American VMAssociation, and global poultry-welfare guidelines: Chickens are flock animals. A lone hen becomes stressed, anxious, and confused — and unless you’re literally keeping her indoors as a full-time pet and you don't work (which is extremely messy, stinky and not realistic for vit D synth (for calcium absorption for egg laying), she really does need at least one other chicken.

So I’m trying to understand:
Is this an actual municipal law, or is it a policy from the apartment/condo/HOA/property management that limits residents to one “pet”? And you chose a chicken as your one allowed pet?

If it’s a property rule and not a legal ordinance, you may have room to negotiate by explaining flock welfare, since two-three hens produce no noise (well- breed specific as my leghorn is louder than my neighbors chihuahua at times), but not comparable to a rooster and generally fall under “low-impact” animals.

 

[Cakes dawhisper]

Who made that rule, if you don’t mind me asking?
Because I’ve never seen an actual law anywhere that says you can only keep one chicken. Most of the time, that kind of rule comes from an apartment complex, HOA, or property management policy — usually a “one pet per unit” type of thing.

The issue is that keeping a single chicken is considered cruel from an animal-welfare standpoint. Every major animal-welfare organization — including the Humane Society, American VMAssociation, and global poultry-welfare guidelines: Chickens are flock animals. A lone hen becomes stressed, anxious, and confused — and unless you’re literally keeping her indoors as a full-time pet and you don't work (which is extremely messy, stinky and not realistic for vit D synth (for calcium absorption for egg laying), she really does need at least one other chicken.

So I’m trying to understand:
Is this an actual municipal law, or is it a policy from the apartment/condo/HOA/property management that limits residents to one “pet”? And you chose a chicken as your one allowed pet?

If it’s a property rule and not a legal ordinance, you may have room to negotiate by explaining flock welfare, since two-three hens produce no noise (well- breed specific as my leghorn is louder than my neighbors chihuahua at times), but not comparable to a rooster and generally fall under “low-impact” animals.

The animal control told me I only can keep one hen or one rooster but if something happens I will fight for the custody of my two hens. I'm possibly may be going for court if they try to take my other hen .