Just lost one of my two hens...

[yxstu]

I came home from work tonight and went to check on my two hens. I normally shake their worm bag and they both come running. This wasn't the case this evening. When I looked in the coop, one of my hens was laying on her front with her legs out behind her. It almost looks like she was standing up when she passed away and fell forward. My other hen was huddled up next to her, like they always have since the day I brought them home together as chicks. Neither one had shown any signs of illness and I'm devastated.

To me, my chickens are my pets and now I don't know what to do about my remaining hen. The two were extremely bonded. They never went anywhere without each other. It breaks my heart to think of the remaining hen who is now alone tonight for the first time ever.

Should I look for a hen around the same age (3 years) and introduce the two? Will it be difficult for my remaining hen to bond to a new hen? Should I even get another hen to keep my remaining hen company? I do not want to add to the flock, two is a good number for me.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SunflowerTheBun]

Hi! I had one of my two hens pass away recently as well (though we also have a rooster). I also consider my chickens pets. We've had chicks from both hens and have been selling them, so soon it will only be the remaining hen and the rooster. It's easier for me as I've still got the rooster to keep her company but will I will be looking to buy another hen around the same age as mine (I'm looking for one above one year old (she's actually around 2 though)).
If you've only got one hen now I would definitely find her a friend.
- Sunny
P.S. Welcome to BYC! And sorry for your loss

 

[yxstu]

Thank you for your quick response. Have you ever had to introduce a new chicken? These are my first chickens so I'm new to this whole process.

 

[SunflowerTheBun]

Yes, our rooster we introduced to the other two (he's a bit younger). Got picked on by one, liked by the other. Eventually they all settled down and everything was fine, though I still don't think they know who's boss, hen or rooster! Wish they thought it was me .
I recommend quarantine first then slowly introduce them - we did neither (and everyone's going to yell at me now for not) but everything was fine anyway!

 

[driver]

I used to have only two hens, and went through 4 of them that way (2 at a time). So that means I replaced a dead hen 2 times. The first time, they were both pretty young (not yet laying), so I found a new hen of the same age/size. The second time, I got a younger hen, but full grown, or close to it, so the two would be about the same size. The first replacement went pretty smoothly. The second one I just tossed the chicken in and she was attacked. After that, I did it the right way, with two pens side by side, so they could get used to each other before putting them together again. All was well.

Last fall, one of my two died and my remaining hen spent the winter alone. This spring, I got 5 new chicks, and once they were old enough, I put them all together in a new coop that the chicks got to live in first before the older hen was put in. I started with them side by side, and with supervised visits when the chicks were about 7-8 weeks old. It went pretty well since the chicks were quick to run away from the hen, who only ended up making threatening gestures at them. They've been together for a few months now, and are doing well, but the younger ones still give the older one her space.

 

[getaclue]

I'm sorry for your loss. Give her a few days to grieve. Yes, chickens mourn the loss of a close flock member. Which one was the alpha hen, or could you tell? If this one was the alpha, get one a tad younger than her, so she will continue as alpha. If not, then get whatever aged hen you want. Usually (not always) the oldest will be the alpha. Please, do a proper introduction. This one may not readily accept a new hen, but will eventually, with a proper introduction.

 

[21hens-incharge]

With winter coming up fast I would go ahead and start looking.

Quarantine is important. There is a great article in this link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

And of course so many more really great articles can be found here

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

I hope you can find her a good friend.