Can a solo chicken stay warm?

[TheOlneyChickens]

Last summer we had a chicken get egg bound, we gave her care expecting she would die...the egg broke internally. We thought now for sure she will die. We kept doing what we could. When she seemed healthy enough moved her from the house to the shop. The egg must of pinched a nerve she can't walk well anymore. So her flock will instantly attack now if they see her.

I don't think it is healthy for to live inside, maybe I am wrong. So I am curious if we built her a coop, and we have a run she goes in on nice days already.....at least during the summer can she live outside?

We live in Western Washington so we have cool to cold nights year round. I don't want to have to run a light across the yard.

Also after several months she proudly laid an egg, and has almost everyday since. We figured she was just our pet shop chicken after everything.

 

[Pork Pie]

Maybe searching for re-integrating a single hen to an existing flock will help you (though I realise I have not responded to your question directly - sorry)

 

[Mrs. K]

I would never have dreamed she would pull through that. I too think it would be best to put her back in the flock, but you are the best judge of the situation. However, what if you gave her a buddy. Pick a middle of the flock bird, and see if you can get it to go.

I don't think she will get cold by herself. I do think they do better with a chicken friend.

Mrs K

 

[TheOlneyChickens]

She freaks when she sees other chickens. Because they always attack her. We are even trying to raise babies with her she lost it.

 

[TheOlneyChickens]

 

[rosemarythyme]

She should be warm enough by herself. So maybe putting a small coop/run set up somewhere near the other chickens (so she can hear/see them, but so they're not so close that they'll upset her) will work.

If she really isn't comfortable with the other chickens (even chicks!) I wouldn't force the issue at this point. She really may prefer human company after all she's been through.

 

[Perris]

and you could try giving her a mirror while in isolation from real birds, in such a way that she is not confronted with her reflection from everywhere she can go in confinement.

 

[TheOlneyChickens]

We had built this for our quail, and decided to use tractors. So wanted to build a small coop for her. It is right near our bedroom window so we could hear her and not far from the other chickens. We need to put a roof on tho, right now only chicken wire on top.