(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens? My daughters brought home a chick from the county fair.(They were told she was 1 week old.) My oldest has wanted to have a pet chicken for several years. She wants to "show" it too. Not sure what that would cost, etc. Now she is about 6 weeks and is outside. It's getting cold here now so hoping she will do fine tonight. My Grandmother had chickens when I was about 8-10 years old. I remember going down to the chicken house and gathering eggs. That part scared me cause the chicken didn't want to move out of the way. Grandmother had a pet chicken too. Her name was Puff. I don't know the breed...love to find one like that...she was a light golden color and had feathers on her legs/feet. She was so sweet. Grandmother even placed her up on the roost each night. Puff would wait for her to lift her up. (2) How many chickens do you have right now? One chicken. Should we add one more? We have her in a chicken coop/tractor. There is chicken wire on the bottom so open ground and we have a floor that we can insert/slide in to cover the bottom if needed. Not sure when to use that part though. I figure she likes to peck and forage through the wire. So, any help in that would be appreciated. (3) What breeds do you have? I believe it is a white rock? White Chicken. (4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com? Internet search trying to find out how to care for the chicken, etc. Right now I am searching for answers...she has pulled some feathers out on her neck. Should I worry? (5) What are some of your other hobbies? Now, it's caring for a chicken and taking care of the family. I do like to bike and do Zumba. (6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share. I want to live on a farm.
Welcome to BYC! I recommend getting her a friend or two, chickens are very social creatures and don't do well by themselves. Also, have you checked out the Learning Center? https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center good luck to you.
Glad to have you join us! I agree with @liz9910. You should get one or two more chickens to keep her content and warm on the cold nights.
Thanks! Is she a white rock? see my avatar. Thanks! Also, pulling out a feather or two on her neck...it's getting bigger. It's 47 Degrees right now and the low tonight is going to be 28 degrees... So, should I put a heating lamp on the coop? (Grandmother says "let her be a chicken".) I am using pine shavings for bedding....
It all depends on how feathered out she is. If she's fully feathers and has roosts big enough that she can lay on her feet, she should be fine. If she isn't fully feathered yet and still has some baby fuzz, you might want to supply her with some kind of heat on the very cold nights. I'm not so good with chicken breeds yet, but she looks like she might be a White Rock. Maybe even a Leghorn. -Ashley
Grandma may be right for a flock of chickens but, one lone bird doesn't produce as much warmth as a few chickens grouped together. Really she needs some buddies or to be a house pet if you don't plan on getting any more. Just don't tell grandma.
