Had 2 RI Red Hens; 1 just died. What to do about other?

[Ted Nugent]

Aloha!

I had 2 Rhode Island Red hens (Mai Tai and Attila the Hen). Both are ~ 18 months old.

Mai Tai died today (killed, but not sure how :-(

What do I do about Attila?
Chickens seem to be social animals (hence the flock mentality) and they were together since hatching.
Do I look into getting a replacement hen or chick?
Give Attila to someone that already has a flock?
Take her to the country and release her into the wild?
Would Attila be OK flying solo?

Backgound in case it matters:
- My town only allows 2 hens/family (no roosters).
- Their coop is in my yard but they are (were) free range up and down the private beach lane I live on in Hawaii.
- Neighborhood car or cat or dog or kid are all suspect in MT's death. Will likely never find out what happened

Any advice appreciated!
Kind regards,
Ted

 

[kathyinmo]

It looks like you have considered your options. I certainly would hope you would not release her into the wild. That would be cruel. She would likely become dinner for some animal.

Do you want 2 chickens? If so, get another one. If not, you could sell her, give her away, or eat her.

Yes, chickens are social and enjoy other chickens. That doesn't mean you HAVE to have more than one.

It is really up to you. What do prefer ..... no chickens? 2 chickens? 1 chicken?

By the way, welcome to BYC! Good luck with your decision.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

First of all,

Chickens are super social animals. I've only heard of one person owning one chicken, and she was abused as a chick and they let her run around inside with them. Even still, the poor pullet is lonely.


Attilla won't be very happy unless she has a friend. I suggest posting in the Wanted to Buy section asking for a hen from a fellow BYCerf. Either that, or you may have to get rid of her.

 

[henry19952]

I had the a similar problem just yesterday.

I had 2 banty hens, 1 was killed yesterday. I do have another flock of 10 week old Buffs, supposedly all pullets. Would she be happy enough there?

 

[Desert Rooster]

Just get her a buddy around her size, but PLEASE DONT let her out in the wild

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I feel real bad for you. Cities that limit to 2 birds know nothing about birds and there should be an effort to change the ordinance.
Chickens are social animals that develop deep bonds.
Chickens die. Therefor I recommend never getting fewer than 3.
I would keep her and find her a friend. Giving her to someone else puts her into a situation with new birds AND new surroundings.The humane society usually has birds for adoption for $5. Or find an appropriate pal on craigslist.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
She's not a breed that would fare more than a day or two solo.
Even a Fayoumi, Rumpie or Hamburg which can fend for themselves couldn't do so solo.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
That should be ok. 1 single with a flock of smaller birds is the easiest way to introduce a single bird.

 

[Ted Nugent]

Thank you, my new BYC friends, for all your advice.

I have decided that
(A) I will NOT release her into the wild,
(B) I will NOT give her over to someone else, AND
(C) I don't want her to be alone for much longer. SO

(D) I'm going to the feed store today to discuss options and breeds with the guys there.
Even though I'm limited to 2 hens per household, I wonder if I can get 2 for my neighbor on my left and 2 for my neighbor on my right and 2 for the house behind me and just keep them all at my place

Again, a heartfelt MAHALO for your advice.

Aloha,
Ted

 

[oldodonnell]

Hi,

You are brilliant. That is an excellent solution. And might I suggest some Jimmy Buffet in the mean time. I know it sounds wacky. But they really don't like the quiet. They need constant cooing and clucking to keep them happy. When I isolated one of mine for medical reasons they would really get upset. So I played some Jimmy for her and it seemed to relax her some. Just get an ipod or cd and put it on repeat.