Can a chicken live alone

[Lana82]

Hi after some advice. 3 & a half years ago I rescued 5 ex battery hens, then 2yrs ago I took in another ex bat who had lost the rest of her flock. It took nearly 3wks to introduce her into my flock & at times I wasn't sure it would happen but with time & perseverance it did. Over time all my girls have sadly passed away with EYP which my vet said is so common with ex bats. Yesterday I lost another 1 of my girls & now I have just 1 girl left the 1 I took in 2yrs ago. I'm not in a position to take in anymore. Can she live alone? I love her so much & don't want to re-home her she's an old girl & I remember how hard it was to introduce her to my flock I don't want her to go through that again. Am I being selfish? Does she need a flock? Or could she be happy on her own to live out the rest of her days. She comes into the house at night to sleep so she's not alone outside & I spend a lot of time in the garden during the day with her. Thanks.

 

[SarahGfa]

if you spend a lot of time with her, you can be her flock and it can be OK. honestly she probably will not live that much longer. not to sound mean, but i have lost a lot of hens to EYP too and she is pretty old for an ex batt.

 

[Lana82]

if you spend a lot of time with her, you can be her flock and it can be OK. honestly she probably will not live that much longer. not to sound mean, but i have lost a lot of hens to EYP too and she is pretty old for an ex batt.

Thank you for you're reply. It doesn't sound mean I totally understand what you're saying. She was rescued just over 4yrs ago & I've had her just over 2yrs so I know her time is limited. I spend a lot time with her so hopefully she will be ok thanks again.

 

[Chookchicken]

Poor thing. If your spending a lot of time with her she might be okay. If she starts acting odd and lonely you might have to reconsider, but for the moment I think she’ll be fine living with you. If she was still young and had lots of years to go I’d say get her a friend, but if you were to get her a friend you’ll probably just end up in the same situation with a different chicken. She most likely doesn’t have to long left, and as long as she is happy it should be fine.

 

[Lana82]

Poor thing. If your spending a lot of time with her she might be okay. If she starts acting odd and lonely you might have to reconsider, but for the moment I think she’ll be fine living with you. If she was still young and had lots of years to go I’d say get her a friend, but if you were to get her a friend you’ll probably just end up in the same situation with a different chicken. She most likely doesn’t have to long left, and as long as she is happy it should be fine.

Thank you for you're reply. I will be keeping a close eye on her & be watching for any changes in her behaviour.

 

[Lil Chicken mama]

Hi after some advice. 3 & a half years ago I rescued 5 ex battery hens, then 2yrs ago I took in another ex bat who had lost the rest of her flock. It took nearly 3wks to introduce her into my flock & at times I wasn't sure it would happen but with time & perseverance it did. Over time all my girls have sadly passed away with EYP which my vet said is so common with ex bats. Yesterday I lost another 1 of my girls & now I have just 1 girl left the 1 I took in 2yrs ago. I'm not in a position to take in anymore. Can she live alone? I love her so much & don't want to re-home her she's an old girl & I remember how hard it was to introduce her to my flock I don't want her to go through that again. Am I being selfish? Does she need a flock? Or could she be happy on her own to live out the rest of her days. She comes into the house at night to sleep so she's not alone outside & I spend a lot of time in the garden during the day with her. Thanks.

All things considered, and her age, you may get away w it, but she would certainly be very lonely in her last days. I have a rescued silky who was always a lone chicken and now won't bond w my flock of RIRs, but spends her time following my maltese dogs everywhere.