I just rehomed 3 birds and I feel bad about one :(

[kimkim]

I just rehomed 2 two month old roosters and one 5 month hen. And I feel bad about letting the hen go she was raised with 2 others that I kept and I have 3 two month old hens. I couldn't keep them all so I kept the colors I liked better. Will my other older girls be heart broken? Will the one I gave away be ok in a new flock? My friend said she put the 3 in a small pen and the 2 younger ones were sleeping together and the older was by herself now I'm thinking I want her back and I can get rid of another younger hen... Then I think, they are just chickens...

 

[drumstick diva]

They really aren't just chickens but, if you get her back will you feel the same about letting another one go? She may fit in after a while, are you allowing her enough time? Why not tell the person if she doesn't integrate well, to send her back for a different one?

 

[kimkim]

I guess I feel bad because I've had her the longest, and I feel bad for splitting them since they obviously have feelings. I don't think I will feel as bad for trading her for another younger one since it grew up with the roosters and I haven't had them as long. My friend won't mind giving her back, she has tons of chickens, she's just helping me since I over bought.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I'm kind of in the same situation, except my hen isn't going to anyone I know. She's supposed to be picked up tomorrow, and I already miss her
She's always been my favorite, but I don't have any use for her anymore. I don't have the correct color rooster and I need the coop space for birds I'm keeping for projects. Its hard to let them go, that's for sure!

 

[bobbi-j]

Do what you feel is best, but for what it's worth, the other chickens won't be "heartbroken". They do notice when one is missing, but mostly they are trying to figure out a new pecking order. Chickens are not like people. I don't believe they "mourn" when one is taken from the flock. They may "miss" it for a day or two, but they do forget quickly.

 

[donrae]

I agree with bobbi-j. I'd say just give things time, that's what it takes. Birds don't like change, but they do adjust.

And, kudos to you for getting rid of birds when you had more than you could care for properly. I see so many folks here who overcrowd their birds "because I love them and I can't stand to get rid of them", even though the birds are obviously stressed and would be better off at another home. So, good on you for doing the mature thing and putting your bird's welfare first!

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree with bobbi-j. I'd say just give things time, that's what it takes. Birds don't like change, but they do adjust.

And, kudos to you for getting rid of birds when you had more than you could care for properly. I see so many folks here who overcrowd their birds "because I love them and I can't stand to get rid of them", even though the birds are obviously stressed and would be better off at another home. So, good on you for doing the mature thing and putting your bird's welfare first!

X2!

 

[kimkim]

Thanks for the comments. I'm going to go by and see how she's doing later today, then decide if I'll trade her out. So far my other chickens seem to be ok.

 

[bobbi-j]

Something to think about before making your decision - when you remove a bird from the flock and put it back in, it does not necessarily have its same "rank". It may be treated like a new bird joining the flock. I don't know how long it takes them to forget one another, and I don't know how long your hen has been removed from the others. I just wanted to mention this to you so you know what she could be in for.

 

[iheartnh]

Chickens forget quickly. That's why pulling a troublemaker out for a few days is so effective. I understand why it's hard for US to give them up, but chickens don't have much of a long-term memory. And I just wanted to echo earlier sentiments - good for you for realizing you had too many birds for your space, and doing what's right to keep them healthy.