Good breeds to go with my bullied hen

[Ruthster55]

Maybe a cochin or silkie.

 

[SwedishDude99]

Thankyou. I was also lookin in to bantam chickens. Would that be a possibility since they would be smaller than her?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

its not so much the bantam breed, some of them can be pretty mean. some of them are sooo gentle. the breeds you have been told are the gentle ones

 

[One Chick Two]

Silkies would be very good. But, you also might consider bantam cochins, or bantam OEGB hens, which are usually fairly tiny with a good disposition. Cochins are normally also VERY docile and calm.

OEGB BBR hens stand about 4" tall, and about 6" from tip to tail, there's no way they weigh more than a pound. Seriously, this is a precious breed! SOOOO sweet and docile and a little bit independent in their nature- and peck very softly- can't see them ever being able to hurt anything.

They love their roo, and groom him constantly. I've heard they are great mothers too. Every night, one or more of the girls rubs her head on his chest, then falls asleep leaning against him. They are snuggly and show affection to humans too (in their way). OEGB hens do not cluck, but make a cute sound I can't describe, but I always know when they are calling me- their sound for me is different than the other sounds they make. They will wait patiently for treats as they are handed out. They know their names, and will fly up onto your head or shoulder when you call them.

I often hold one or more OEGB in the evening before roosting time, and place her or them in my warm jacket (zipped, but with an open area for oxygen). They will snuggle like a chick and happily fall to sleep.

They are sometimes bullied by our RIR but they are more mobile and faster. They lay a small egg every other day. Our RIR and Cochin are nice and friendly too, but RIR can bully. If you had a few banties, I think you might really like them.

 

[Folly's place]

Consider Salmon Favorelles; the full sized birds I've had were very mellow, in fact were the bottom of the pecking order in my mixed flock. I'd get a small group of youngsters and raise them next to your solitary hen (at least when they are feathering out) so they get acquainted. Good luck! mary

 

[SwedishDude99]

Okay thank you. I am really liking the bantam Cochins. Thank you all for your help. I'm still not 100% sure but I have an idea of my options now. Thank you all!

 

[bigbuddha09]

i realize that this thread is old but i have to correct the person that said they do not feel kinship. There have been many studies showing they do show it and i have personally seen it. They are a much more intelligent animal then we give them credit for, in fact many are on the same intelligence level as dogs, just like crows are almost considered smarter then primates when it comes to problem solving. Anyways point being they can feel for each other i have watched a rooster and hen be outside when suddenly it rained the rooster would put his wing over the hen so she would not get wet and he would always protect her from the others because she was smaller, weaker, and well a runt overall. They would always cuddle at night and wake up together. anyways it may not convince you, but they are intelligent. Obviously they are not as intelligent on industrial farms where they don't move or really even interact with each other, because lets face it would anyone be intelligent in that situation. You don't do anything except eat and lay eggs. Anyways i apologize i just wanted to show they can feel just like any other being.