Last hen left

[weedemnreap]

Sadly we are down to one lonely hen. I started with 4 almost 2 years ago and lost one to a respiratory infection but the others stayed healthy. We made it through winter and molting but two hens have disappeared. One was during the day a month or so ago (feisty BR, Bea) and one was taken from the coop last night (our gorgeous BA, Millie). No feathers, no blood - she just disappeared. Our back gate was open so we think it may have been a person but not sure why they would have left one.

Poor Ruby (RIR) is wandering around looking and calling. She's laying low and in safe places..I'm guessing since there is no lookout. Here's my dilemma - I know she needs other chickens around and we really want to get more, esp. now. I've read all about quarantining new chickens but am just not sure how to proceed. Ruby has gone broody several times and I thought I might just put eggs or new chicks under her (I know, some caution against that) but now with her being the only one, I'm wondering if it's best to get more right away.

I had an offer from a lady I bought eggs from to give me some of her extras. She got more than anticipated from McMurray's last year and will gladly offer some of her duplicates. She says all hers are healthy and she's never lost any to illness although she had one die from old age last week at age 9.

I feel like I need to make a decision soon but am just not sure what to do. We also have a hatchery in a neighboring town but didn't really want to do the whole chick thing. I appreciate any counsel or suggestions you can offer.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Yes, get a companion chicken (adult, approx same size) for your solo hen. Even a rooster would work fine. It's okay to get hatching eggs, too, for a bigger flock later on. But your single adult hen needs a flockmate now, and hatched chicks will not be mature enough, to be a flock with her, for a long time. Chickens ARE flock animals. It's is not natural or healthy for them to be alone for long.

The flock instinct is a huge thing for them - something I don't think we altogether *get*, as humans. A chicken needs to know its place in the pecking order, even if that place is at the bottom. Their stress level goes way down once their flock position is established. The flock does more than companionship. It provides predator warnings, protection in numbers, visual and audible cues for feeding & nesting, warmth at night, and biological cues for molting, etc. Probably many other things too, that we don't readily notice.

If you can't find her an adult companion it might be best to place your hen with someone who is willing, and can successfully, integrate her into their established flock. Just be absolutely sure that person is very skilled and compassionate, so that your girl gets well integrated, and not injured in the process.

Good luck! Check Craigslist for offers of adult chickens. Often there are people who (for whatever reason) need to give up their chicken or chickens, and they place ads in CL. Make sure, if you bring home another chicken, that you adequately quarantine so that you don't accidentally spread diseases to healthy birds. There are posts on BYC about how to quarantine a new chicken for successful bio-security.

 

[branagh]

You could also contact a local commercial poultry farm who are getting rid of hens who have outlasted their usefulness to them.

These hens have never lived a good life and adopting one or more could give them a bit of life in their remaining days left.

I'm down to three hens from the original 12. They are over 3 and a half years old. I hope they hang on at least until I get some new pullets in the spring.

Good luck!

 

[sourland]

I would hesitate on getting more chickens until you determine what is taking yours.