How to entertain a lonely hen?

[alecia86]

Hi everyone!

I have 2 isa brown hens here, which get on really well... But I'm noticing one of them can't stand being on her own. When one goes to lay, the remaining one stands at the door screeching at me for the entire time. If I sit at the door with her she will stand there quietly and clean herself (like she is right now) but if I walk away - even if I'm still in sight - she will screech constantly. We got her from a farm where she was in a cage with lots of hens so I am assuming she is afraid of being alone.

Is there anything I can do to help her - other than sitting with her for an hour every morning? The other hen comes back out and they run off and "play" together.

 

[foxy2320]

Your best bet is to pick up at least two more. Chickens are social and are used to belonging to a flock, that's why they always say never get just one, even two is a little low. If you have the space and can find a few more, it's usually pretty easy to integrate, especially into a 2-girl flock with no real pecking order issues. Good luck, let us know what you end up doing!