Im a bit sad

[Zobot0110]

I bet your remaining flock is not sad! It is hard and miserable to have chickens bullied. It was a good decision to put her in that bigger flock. Not every bird likes or tolerates being kept pampered. Personally I enjoy my flock so much more when there is peace in the flock!

As for the other place, a lot of chickens look like hell this time of year as they are going from through the molt. What I see is a thriving chicken community in a lot of lovely space. Those birds look alert, active and content.

Looking at your pictures, that type of bird needs a lot more space. Spoiling does not make up for a lack of space. That bird IMO will be miserable in a smaller set up all alone. She looked happy as can be where she is. Space to run, other birds for company.

And birds hate change. She looks well adjusted, leave her. I think she is happier in a bigger set up. You might be sad, but she isn’t. You really want what is best for the bird.

Mrs K

Thank you so much for your advice. And yes, the other birds are happy. And she’ll be happy. And I’ll adjust. Need a little bit of tough love sometimes right? if you love something set it free.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

It is easy to worry about chickens being cold but I think it will help you to think about their little down jackets. They sit on their feet to keep them warm, puff up their feathers to creat a nice insulated bubble around their bodies, then tuck their heads under their wings. Nice and toasty. While we like to think of chickens as domesticated in the sense that they need our intervention to survive that is not necessarily the case. Modern breeds need us to feed them and keep predators from gobbling them up but they don’t need us to provide them a heated, insulated coop. A nice spot free of drafts will do quite nicely. I think your chicken will be fine in her new home even in the winter! You have done well by creating a peaceful flock at home and giving her a space where she can thrive!

 

[SkyAJK]

Thank you for writing. I did not know that having chickens would be so emotional! But I love them as much as I do any of my other pets.
I understand why you worried about your rooster. And also many others don’t understand. I’m glad you took him back home. I’m going to check on mine tomorrow and just assess the situation. Our winters are very cold here and that just worries me.

Like you and me, many found out that chickens do have a strong hold on our heart. A connection that build between two living being.

You will know what to do in your heart. Your mind and your heart might not say the same thing. Look deep down and you will know what you need to do.

I took my rooster back just at the start of the winter that year and it was hard work caring for him as he was very sick.

Seeing my baby rooster contentedly by himself in the designated part of the garden looking out to his old flock, that was the reward for me. I was sleeping soundly and no longer wake up with worried.

 

[Zobot0110]

My view is that if you are suffering like now because of your worried she is not cared for, your worry will not go away. You will do what you need to do to live with/be at peace yourself.

Keep in mind that when you do bring her back, you will have a lot of work to settle her back in and work on her bullying issue. Because she has been out with a large flock, you will also need to consider quarantine her so that she does not bring any ill health to your current flock.

I wish you all the best and my heart goes to you and your hen.

I was in your situation and I worried for a whole month, I woke up at night worried about the rooster I gave away, I prayed for him during the night, during the day for the whole month that I gave him away. I felt something was not right. I took him back home and he was very sick, they did not care for him. But I was happy that he was home and so was he.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Three years ago we had a hen who we raised from a chick. Loved her, but I live in a suburban neighborhood and she was the very loudest hen that has ever lived. I was concerned because my neighbors didn't ask for me to get chickens and I want to be respectful. I took her to a very good friend who has a huge flock. At least 50. She also agreed she was the loudest she's ever heard. I felt miserable leaving her and went to visit her often because, like you I cared so much for her. When I first went to see her she would run right up to me. But you know what? After a couple weeks of visiting her, she completely stopped. She was running with her flock and looked good. I still see her as it's my friend's house she lives at. We also have cold winters, she has roosters on her and they don't handle their chickens at all. She still looks good and I know looking back that I did the right thing for my peace of mind. You do what works for your peace of mind and your flock. But, keep in mind to maybe give it a little time and see how you feel then.

 

[Zobot0110]

Three years ago we had a hen who we raised from a chick. Loved her, but I live in a suburban neighborhood and she was the very loudest hen that has ever lived. I was concerned because my neighbors didn't ask for me to get chickens and I want to be respectful. I took her to a very good friend who has a huge flock. At least 50. She also agreed she was the loudest she's ever heard. I felt miserable leaving her and went to visit her often because, like you I cared so much for her. When I first went to see her she would run right up to me. But you know what? After a couple weeks of visiting her, she completely stopped. She was running with her flock and looked good. I still see her as it's my friend's house she lives at. We also have cold winters, she has roosters on her and they don't handle their chickens at all. She still looks good and I know looking back that I did the right thing for my peace of mind. You do what works for your peace of mind and your flock. But, keep in mind to maybe give it a little time and see how you feel then.

Thank you for sharing.