I only have two chickens, will this change the chickens behavior, will they feel unsafe or be bored?

[Habib Ikram]

As I only have two chickens, and chickens are usually in a larger flock I am wondering whether a flock of only two chickens will change their behavior. I know that some animals can get depressed when in small numbers and even die, so what affect does having only two chickens have on the chickens?
thnx

 

[Pork Pie]

They should be fine, but it's a good idea to get at least one more. That way, if you do lose one to predation or sickness / injury, you will still have two.

 

[azygous]

This is like people asking if they should have another baby so their only child won't be lonely. That child is doing splendidly on its own, and adding a sibling will no doubt add interest to its life, but it is guaranteed to produce conflicts and other unintended consequences.

Two chickens have adapted just fine to being a flock of two. Increasing the flock by one or two or more will certainly add interest to the existing flock, but you had better be prepared for an increase in conflict as more unique temperaments come into play.

It's important to be thoroughly honest with yourself as to why you want to increase your flock, and maybe realize you are only projecting your own emotional feelings onto your two chickens.

 

[Bossom-hen]

I have had this dilemma a lot in the past couple of years and am suddenly down to 2 as well as I lost my oldest girl last week. Personally I'm not really happy with two as it doesn't feel like a flock, I worry that they are more vulnerable (mine are bantams) when free-ranging as there are less pairs of eyes to keep a look out for predators. If one is in the laying box the other is out in the garden on it's own. They don't seem to mind just being a pair and they are best of friends but obviously it is a problem if I lose another one. If you are going to add to your flock I'd add two because if you add one it will be badly picked on. I've always added growers of around 10-14 weeks of age, but kept them in an adjacent pen for a week before turning them all out together.

 

[Clucksworth12]

As I only have two chickens, and chickens are usually in a larger flock I am wondering whether a flock of only two chickens will change their behavior. I know that some animals can get depressed when in small numbers and even die, so what affect does having only two chickens have on the chickens?
thnx

That's great! With my experience, I've found that the smaller the flock, the more calmer and friendly the individual birds are! But if you're going to breed, then more woudl be better.