Is it healthy to raise a laying hen alone without a flock?

[PunkinPeep]

I know i have read some people say that it's a bad idea to raise one chicken alone, but i can't find the threads.

I would like to know if anyone has information or resources about the possible adverse affects of raising one chicken alone or also information on successfully raising a hen by herself.

Thanks.

 

[PunkinPeep]

bumping my own thread here.

any thoughts? anyone????

 

[Kansaseq]

Chickens are by nature flock birds and need more of their own kind to interact with to be normal and happy. I wouldn't do it. Could you get two?

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
Oh, i personally have three and am planning to get more. I'm trying to gather information to convince someone else not to do it. Any information is helpful. Thanks.

 

[Kansaseq]

I keep trying to think of a good example of animals that you think of in terms of flocks, but keep coming back to chickens! They are just really social birds and need that social interaction to be happy. Sorry I can't come up with something more scientific.

 

[cgmccary]

One chicken would get very, very lonely. As a child, I had a small flock that my Grandfather gave me (his culls). As I reached my teenage years, I did not replace them and ended up with a old, docile, lone Wyandotte Rooster. He lived several years by himself, and I could tell that he was so lonely. He would always act real happy to see me and would follow me around & talk to me.

It is cruel to keep any social animal by itself.

Tell whoever you're trying to convince NOT to do it that if they want to keep an animal by itself, GET A PET SNAKE. A snake could not care less about being alone. If they insist on getting a bird, tell them to get a Cockatoo or some type of Parrot that will bond with people as it will stay inside and become a member of the family.

Getting 1 chicken is stupid.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Thanks a lot. That's at least a personal experience i can share with her.

I appreciate it.

Anything else anyone can provide would be very helpful.

Thanks a lot!

 

[songbird]

I agree, a social animal is unhappy and unhealthy when living alone. We had a pony, sheep, and a goat. Last year, we lost the pony and the goat within 6 months of each other, so now only Alice the sheep remains. She was constantly on the back porch, looking in the kitchen door and blaaahing. She'd escape from her paddock every 15 minutes to come looking for me. I think chickens would be similarly lost without other birds.
That said...my hens hang out with a baby rabbit...

 

[jwchicklady]

we found a hen on the road at night and brought it home--at the time, I had little chicks that were still in our house, so the hen was all alone. Well, she considered my family her flock, so she followed us everywhere. When we were inside the house, she would sit outside the downstairs windows and watch the kids in the house. She would have come in if we opened the door. She would complain loudly when she was alone. I would not recommend having a lone hen.