Last Hen Standing

[sunnychickd]

advice needed. We raised three chicks as first timers. One tuned out to be a rooster who we couldn't keep and sent to a rescue farm. The second..just passed away suddenly. Likelihood is that she passed away from heat stroke. We're very sad to lose her, but now we have one sweet girl left! What is the best way forward for our girl?
1-raise her as a super loved only?
2-get a couple more chicks and help her "adopt" new chicks to her flock as a mother hen?
3-adopt a couple new girls and introduce them slowly and hope they get along???
Thanks for any feedback. As I said, first-timers here.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens need a flock so I would get more. She won't raise baby chicks unless she's broody. You can start integrating them at 4-8 weeks. Older birds may gang up on her, and could potentially introduce diseases to her.

Have you addressed the problem of too much heat? Otherwise you may lose more as chickens don't do well in the heat.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

If possible, find birds close in size/ age. Unless already broody she is not going to mother hen new chicks.

 

[sunnychickd]

Chickens need a flock so I would get more. She won't raise baby chicks unless she's broody. You can start integrating them at 4-8 weeks. Older birds may gang up on her, and could potentially introduce diseases to her.

Have you addressed the problem of too much heat? Otherwise you may lose more as chickens don't do well in the heat.

Oh, thank you so much!! Hmmm... how can I tell if she's broody? She is a White Rock and was introduced to the first two 1 week late. Once the Rooster left, she stepped up as the top hen.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh, thank you so much!! Hmmm... how can I tell if she's broody? She is a White Rock and was introduced to the first two 1 week late. Once the Rooster left, she stepped up as the top hen.

She would become moody and would stay in the nest around the clock. When off the nest she would puff up and screech and cluck a lot and than return to sitting.

 

[sunnychickd]

If possible, find birds close in size/ age. Unless already broody she is not going to mother hen new chicks.

She would become moody and would stay in the nest around the clock. When off the nest she would puff up and screech and cluck a lot and than return to sitting.

thats helpful. Thanks. She doesn't do that, but she also hasn't started laying yet either. She's 18 weeks old.

 

[21hens-incharge]

How old is your bird?

If she is still to young to lay integration can be easier.

What area do you live in? Some breeds are better then others depending on climate. If you want to have help choosing good breads all you need do is ask.
We are here to help.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Lol we were typing at the same time.

If you get a few that are also 14 to 18 weeks old it will be easier to integrate.

 

[sunnychickd]

How old is your bird?

If she is still to young to lay integration can be easier.

What area do you live in? Some breeds are better then others depending on climate. If you want to have help choosing good breads all you need do is ask.
We are here to help.

Wow! What a great website! Thank you so much for your help. We live in the California Bay Area. 20 miles east of San Francisco. She is 18 weeks old and hasn't started laying yet. A white Rock. We got her because we wanted a bird that was good with overnight lows in the 30's and 40's for winter. The one that passed away was a speckled Sussex. I would love any advice on a good breed.

 

[21hens-incharge]

There are lots of breeds that will do well in winter there.... Pretty much everything.

I think your heat is a bigger issue. Leghorns are not a bad breed. California whites are a leghorn hybrid and are less flighty. Heck mine have been downright friendly.
Do you have a color preference?
Do you need dual purpose? (Eggs and meat types so those would be larger)
Do you want lots of eggs or birds that are more vigorous but lay less? They tend to live longer.