Can a solo hen be ok?

[TheOddOneOut]

I agree on getting one or two docile hens to keep her company. She would probably be happier with a friend or two since chickens are super social.

X3

 

[FuzzyCritters]

What if she were in a "look but don't touch" setup with the rest of the flock? She could sleep in her own spot and during the day, she'd have her own spot in the run with a fence separating it from the others. Would this meet her social requirement? I really see her being rotten to any new potential friends, and I'm not sure where I'd get new friends this time of year.

This sounds like it could work pretty well.

 

[NatalieP]

I had my home security camera temporarily set up in the coop so I could figure out which hen was messing with the eggs during the day. What I found out is that my bottom hens get pecked on A LOT while getting set up to roost for the night. Very heart breaking. I would imagine the best time to add in a hen at night would be once everyone settles in (not immediately as they go up to roost).

If you haven't stumbled upon this, it might be worth a shot? I haven't done it personally though. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

 

[Docdetective]

I have a pullet that had a similar problem. It’s a long story, but she had to be separated at six weeks old from her flock and had to have intensive care for the next two months, and during that time period she was by herself. After she recovered, I knew she wouldnt be able to go back to her flock. she was by herself for another month-ish before I was able to get her a buddy.
She seemed fine by herself, but I felt bad when it was raining or I was too busy to play with her. Then she’d have to sit in her house all day by herself, and I wasn’t happy about that.
I ended up getting her a very submissive Easter egger pullet, younger than her.The original pullet has been able to stay on top easily even with her cross beak. I would suggest a younger, calmer breed like a silkie. I know of a silkie rooster that is on the bottom of the pecking order. I wouldn’t suggest a rooster though!
Does she go broody? You could get her one or two hatching eggs and let her hatch out her own buddies.
Just a few ideas!

 

[Mrs. K]

I think the article about the victim is a very good one. Always solve for peace in the flock. Sometimes it is like a mob mentality, and together the flock acts differently than individual birds.

I am a big believer in clutter in the run, places where birds can get out of sight of other birds. Often times, runs are big open areas, where as birds can see all of the other birds all of the time.

Add totes, pallets, ladders, roosts, small pieces of plywood, cardboard boxes. Set it up so that a bird eating in one spot cannot see who is eating in another. It will look more cluttered to you, but much more interesting to your birds. And it allows birds to get out of sight, out of mind of the other birds and still eat and drink.

Mrs K

 

[rosemarythyme]

What if she were in a "look but don't touch" setup with the rest of the flock? She could sleep in her own spot and during the day, she'd have her own spot in the run with a fence separating it from the others.

This could work as long as it doesn't agitate her to see the others (whether from being fearful of them or wanting to rejoin them) as it still gives her some social stimulation.

 

[aart]

My husband is at the moment building her a mini coop with our chick brooder heater in it to keep her warm at night.

No need for a heater, if she's fully feathered and new coop is dry and free of strong drafts around roost area.

Would a new rooster do anything positive to their dynamic? Or is that a whole other complicated mess? We are roo-free so far.

Yes.

What if she were in a "look but don't touch" setup with the rest of the flock? She could sleep in her own spot and during the day, she'd have her own spot in the run with a fence separating it from the others. Would this meet her social requirement? I really see her being rotten to any new potential friends, and I'm not sure where I'd get new friends this time of year.

I'd try this first.
After she's been in her new space while you might try adding one of the other birds in with her. How big is your run, and what does it look like(pics)?

Curious how big your main coop is?
Dimensions and pics would help