Is it cruel to keep just one chicken?

[WendyA]

Thank you for your replies everyone. It's obviously early days but two days in and Honey seems to be doing well and doesn't seem to be missing her sister at all

I was in and out of the garden most of the day today so she had lots of company, although it may be different if I need to be out of the house for a whole day.

She slept in a box in the house last night as it was down to around 0 degrees (C) but it's a bit warmer tonight (it's around 10pm here now) so she's in the coop with a hot water bottle - which she didn't seem sure about but hopefully she finds a bit of a comfort
I love the idea of giving a chick a feather duster - I may try that one day

 

[WendyA]

Hello all

Mini update since my last post three weeks ago...

All plans to keep one chook until we moved house went out the window as, this week I was given two recuse chickens to add to my 'flock'. The birds came from a chicken boarder who was looking after Honey while I was away last week and she started the introductions for me.

We're currently going through continued flock integration at home - mostly from partitioning my run during the day so they can look but not touch - and it's not going too badly so far. Honey is taking the brunt at the moment, unfortunately, but she's strong willed so fingers crossed she'll be fine.

I'm not sure if I made the right decision yet, as Honey seemed to be doing ok as a sole hen, but I thought it may be in her best long term interests with a few more months of cold weather on the way and I will be out of the house more in the new year.

Wendy

There's a little more info about the new birds on this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1146016/two-new-birds-and-maybe-one-with-an-eye-infection