Blind hen companion?

[Rabbit chicken]

I Want to give my hen a partner. I have tones of breeds like road Ileand red, Sexlinks, Turkans, And other medium sized hens. but should I Give her a young chick?? I'm not sure... Any advice. (shes a sexlink hen)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I Want to give my hen a partner. I have tones of breeds like road Ileand red, Sexlinks, Turkans, And other medium sized hens. but should I Give her a young chick?? I'm not sure... Any advice. (shes a sexlink hen)

Does she want a friend?

If she's blind, does she have her own space/coop where the food/water is in the same place all the time. Sometimes if a hen with a disability is managing well on their own, in their own space, adding another bird whether a chick or adult can cause undue stress on the hen and her peaceful environment.

It's like moving in and unwanted guest.

A chick will grow up to be an adult, they may get along or the chick may grow to become a bully, it can be hard to know.
If the chick becomes a problem, then you'd have to think about rehoming or adding a lone bird to an existing flock which can also bring on undue stress.

To me, if your hen is thriving by herself, then I'd leave her as is to continue on living the best she can.

 

[Rabbit chicken]

Does she want a friend?

If she's blind, does she have her own space/coop where the food/water is in the same place all the time. Sometimes if a hen with a disability is managing well on their own, in their own space, adding another bird whether a chick or adult can cause undue stress on the hen and her peaceful environment.

It's like moving in and unwanted guest.

A chick will grow up to be an adult, they may get along or the chick may grow to become a bully, it can be hard to know.
If the chick becomes a problem, then you'd have to think about rehoming or adding a lone bird to an existing flock which can also bring on undue stress.

To me, if your hen is thriving by herself, then I'd leave her as is to continue on living the best she can.

she has only been blind for a little over a week now... shes used to having other chickens around. And she hasn't learned where food and water was. I was hopping a companion would make her more lively and to help her. I'm going to be changing her situation to a coop soon. curently she lives in a tote so I can observe her but shes going to be moved into a small coop in a couple of days

 

[Triangle Nostril]

Sorry to hear. If she was just recently blinded then I don't think it'd hurt to try different accommodations and monitor her for what seems to work. Are you currently helping lead her to water and food right now? Does she roam around on her own or stay mostly in the same place? She's used to having others around - I assume she still has her flock she was with prior to being blind?

I feel like giving her a young chick may be stressful for her, like she's just learning to take care of herself but has a little one constantly seeking her attention.

 

[Rabbit chicken]

Okay. The Hen is being lead to food/water when ever Im home to do so. Im planing to set her up in a coop this weekend. I was asking becuse I wasnt sure. She hasn't been a big fan on moving a lot. But shes almost learned where food/water is. Ty For the Advice

 

[Triangle Nostril]

Caught up on your posts from the other thread. I think you're doing a very kind thing taking care of her as best as you can when someone else is supposed to be in charge of her feed and care.

Try different things and keep an eye on her to see what seems to work best. How do other chickens interact with her, have they had a chance since her incident? If she's not being picked on or anything, it may be comforting for her to have company around. Every chicken will be different so it's hard to give blanket advice on what works best for her. Giving her a comfortable coop situation sounds very sweet though, as long as she doesn't show signs of loneliness from being isolated. I can see how personalize accommodations would be helpful, especially if she doesn't have to feel her way around for a roost.

Maybe it'd also be helpful to put some specific materials around key areas, so when she feels it with her feet she knows where she is. Like surround her feed area with rocks or wood so she can feel "this is where food is" when stepping on it. Same for the entry to her coop.

It may also help to get some fragrances, like dried lavender or chamomile, and spread them around her roosting area or something. Just think of things that can help her navigate the world without her sense of sight. Her feet and nose will be her primary ways to interact with the world, so do your best to make the world easier for her recognize.

 

[Mrs. K]

No chick. Older hens do not like chicks unless they are broody. It would be a huge stress to the blind bird and to the chick.

A friend from her flock would be the best bet, but if you have separated her for a couple of days, that would not work either. I think I would have left her with the flock, or put her down. To each their own way of doing things.

Mrs K

 

[Rabbit chicken]

Yesterday I Had done that and she was good for a little bit but when she axdently bumbed into another sexlink hen... the hen started beating her up... I'm worried she will get lonley. Shes on the young side for my hens(some hens are over 7 years old)

 

[Mrs. K]

How did she go blind? And how blind is she?

Truthfully, I would put this bird down, I don't like victims in my flock, and I don't like separating birds. However, I know a lot of people like having a bird like this. If that is the case, I think separate by herself is your best bet.

Mrs K

 

[Rabbit chicken]

If you look at my Post about it Its call Random blindness. Shes completely blind.