Help for Lonely Injured Hen

[CoopintheWoods]

I have a very friendly, sweet Favorelle hen named Lucy who severely limps (permanently), and has no other issues that I know of. About a year ago, her limp worsened (before then it had been a minor thing that was only visible when she ran) and the other hens attacked her. After that, she was permanently separated from the flock. She was soon after joined, within a few weeks, by a Buff Orpington hen named Pumpkin that the other hens had targeted. Now, I have a problem. Pumpkin, Lucy's only friend in the world, has just been found dead after being attacked by something. I know from past experience that Lucy becomes very lonely when all alone for long periods of time. She needs a friend. How can I find her a hen friend that will not pick on her? Would it help to raise chicks and introduce them to her when they are young? Lucy is extremely small for a Favorelle (about the weight of my Ancona hen) and when she was with my flock, was always at the bottom of the pecking order and was picked on. Culling her or is not an option, and nor is reuniting her with the flock. Any advice?

 

[Folly's place]

How about a few Favorelle chicks, or chicks of a mild tempered bantam breed? Bantam Favorelles, for example?
She does need friends, and healthy Favorelles are mild, and likely to be at the bottom of the pecking order in a mixed flock. Especially if you have pushy birds like many of the production reds, or hatchery RIRs.
Mary

 

[CoopintheWoods]

@Folly's place Thanks. I will definitely consider some bantam chicks. Maybe I worry too much, but is there a chance that Lucy could end up being depressed of something after witnessing the death of her friend?

 

[Outpost JWB]

Adding a nicer bird might help but it might not..I had the same problem with my younger turkey..I put her in With chicks that were way younger than her and she almost started brooding them she has done fine ever since... Hope that helps!

 

[Outpost JWB]

I honestly don't think that she can get depressed...if she does then she wont eat... What you should do is pick her up, work with her, basically baby her then she will be your best friend and she will put a lot of trust in you.

 

[RWise]

I had a young (few day old) turkey come up, dont know where it came from,, anyway I put it in with a single chick, about the same size. They have became friends and are now in the flock, the turkey is now twice the size of the chick. The 2 of them follow the rooster around the yard, until he goes to far from the coop. If you see 1 the other is near by,,
Maybe something like this would work for you, but this injured girl may not work in the flock as they may see it and try to cull her,,,,

 

[CoopintheWoods]

Thank you all for your advice! I might try getting some bantam chicks and introducing them to Lucy at a fairly young age. If I do, what types of bantams or standard chickens are known to be the friendliest to other chickens?