Is my chicken cold or lonely? Will buying it a friend shut it up?

[HennysMom]

Hmm...well - first off Welcome to BYC!

Raising chickens is alot work and they take alot of care, time and knowledge. Everyone on here will absoluletly help you to the best of our abilities in all questions and/or concerns that you may have - but I too, like Wynette must ask and question - are you sure you really want a chicken hun? You dont sound like it from your post or your subject title... did someone give you this as a gift?

What are you going to do if it IS a rooster? Are you allowed to have chickens in your area?

Something to think about.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:
It sounds like PurpleChicken has already answered this to me, and I think he's kinda the Silkie expert of BYC.

 

[Mikeshole]

Well, Ive got a friend with a farm who could take it. What will probably happen is Ill end up making diapers for it and let it run around the house like a maniac. That way it can explore as much as it wants and hang out with whoever when its lonely. Everyone loves him. Apparently its illegal to have chickens within city limits. Hence my hesitation on buying a second bird.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

That sound it's making is it calling out in search of a friend. They really don't like to be alone. Sometimes I've heard of one attaching to other types of animals, like dogs or whatever but they would obviously prefer to be with their own kind doing normal chicken things. A short term trick you might try is to stick a mirror in with it at night to trick it into believing another one is there.

 

[MrsShag]

I had a single chick and she was very loud. I asked and everyone on here said to get her a buddy. As soon as I did she calmed right down and is happy as can be.

 

[junebug7334]

get it some friends/

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Quote:
This sounds like a lovely situation and solution

Please give the bird to said friend with farm, where it will be legal and not forced to live it's life all alone.
No matter how much time you spend with him you cannot provide the enrichment that another chicken would.

 

[Mikeshole]

I just bought it a black silkie. Theyre both happy now!

It was pretty horrible to watch my first original silkie peck the new ones eye over and over, but he stood there and took it like a champ so I know it will be a life long friendship.

Thanks for the tip. I have them both laying on a thick towel witha t-shirt ontop of them. I think that should keep them fine even when teh temperatrure gets to the mid 30s tonight. Please take a look at the first picture of yedi that i posted and tell me if theyre old enough for that temp (the other is slightly heavier) I plan on putting them in a box and keeping them inside untill I have a legit coop for them. However if you guys think its ok Ill keep them outside for tonight.

Thanks again.

 

[PurpleChicken]

They'll take a while to get used to each other. Your white is used to
being alone.

It's hard for me to tell in the pic but I don't think the white has feathered
in fully yet for anything under 50 degrees.

If it's gonna get cold just bring them in.

Just so you know those birds are going to take your life over. Silkies
will do it. The good part is taking care of a pair is really not that hard
and they can live on a balcony just fine.

 

[Wynette]

Oh! I'm so glad you got your white a friend! It won't take long, and I'm sure they'll be fast friends.

Where is the pic of your new one? In another post?