Last remaining chook - will she get lonely?

[msjenno]

Hi folks,

Lost a chook today which only leaves one left. Will she be lonely? Should I get a couple more? I want to but I'm worried about introducing them to her as she has always been the bossy one. Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

Jenny

 

[Break an Egg]

If you get her some friends, she will probably be the head hen, no matter where she was on the pecking order before. I would get her some friends. Atleast 2 more, chickens are very social creatures, when I was down to only 1, my dog and my hen became very good friends.

 

[nzpouter]

get some younger pullets, they usually assumed the lower rank in the flock...

 

[Minniechickmama]

You should most definitely get her some friends, maybe 10 or 20, at least.

 

[msjenno]

LOL 10 or 20 !!!

I went out and got two 12 week old girls for her to boss around. I let them look at each other for a few hours then let them mingle (they have the whole farm to wander around) - well, long story short - now i have two 12 week old chooks up a tree who refuse to come down for love or money (or food). I haven't had them this young before so learning on the fly - no pun intended. I will wait till it gets dusk at retrieve them. Do the little ones need different feed to the hen?

Jenny

 

[Break an Egg]

Quote:
The 12 week olds are going to need starter or grower if you can get it. They need less calcuim than laying hen pellets.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Leave it to me, I love to be the yolker....I mean, joker.