Leaving a hen alone for a week?

[Jenergie]

Hi, Y'all!
I'm new to this forum and would super appreciate any insight my fellow chicken keepers could share with me...

Here is my situation. Over the last 6 months, my flock of 4 Silkie hens has dwindled down to 1 hen. 2 were lost to predators, 1 to natural causes. I've been wanting to get 3 more hens to re-establish my flock. However, I have a week-long vacation planned in a month. I really, really do not want to leave my only hen alone. I have been recommended to a 28 day quarantine period for the new girls before introducing them. So, that means I would be introducing them only days before I leave for a week. I'm not very comfortable about that, but also not comfortable leaving my hen alone for a week. She will be well taken care of. I have a chicken loving friend that would stop and check on her (or them, if that's the case) and put her in her coop at dusk, and my neighbor would let her out in the morning and check on her throughout the day.
Any wisdom is much appreciated!
Thank you

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I see several issues at hand here.

First, your hen is already alone. How is she handling that? If she is not unduly stressed right now, she probably would be better alone for the time being as it would make your life easier for vacation (and for your friend watching). Some Silkies actually enjoy isolation...they are either brooding or contemplating brooding and simply want to be left alone.

However, if she is stressed being alone (and some birds get VERY lonely...is she pacing and squawking a lot???), then it is a matter of risk assessment and an overall "what's best." While typically you want to only introduce flock members after a 30 day quarantine (which some suggest a minimum of 14 days), that idea is to avoid having something hit the whole flock....it is a rule of thumb not a law set in concrete.

You have a flock of one. If she is stressed about being alone, it may be better to simply introduce the other 3 now. Her being with a flock may outweigh the possible risk of bringing disease in. (Which honestly, unless you use a Hazmat style of quarantine, she'll likely be exposed to most air borne/dander type stuff anyway on the typical small holder/backyard isolation set up...isolation simply keeps bacterial and parasitic infections down...it does little for viral unless you use a serious isolation technique...it simply prevents you having to treat 50 birds of the original flock rather than 5 new birds).

If she is a very dear pet that would break your heart if you risked her illness, then you'll need to follow very strict isolation protocol...that means your new birds are in a location that is out of wind draft and shared fence from your current bird. Ideally 300 to 500 yards away (IB and AI can travel over a foot ball field length in the wind). You will need to change boots and clothing (at least coat or coverall) between caring for your new birds in quarantine and your current bird. Always care for your current bird first. Keep separate feed, bowls, and water containers for the two sets of birds. Never mix them unless fully disinfecting first. You may even wish to sanitize your boots and wash hands after attending the new birds. NOTHING is carried to the existing bird from the new bird area....no tromping the ground between with the same boots.

That's a lot to ask of a friend if you purchase birds for 30 day isolation and leave. A few days integration is not enough to settle flock differences between your current Silkie and her new flock mates.

I doubt new hens will bring more comfort at first as there is always a restructuring of pecking order. Being a flock of 1, that means the 3 new ones, especially if they came from the same place, may gang up on your existing Silkie, particularly if she is a less assertive type.

No matter when you decide for introduction and integration, have you improved your coop and run situation so that you don't lose more hens to predators? Being gone from the property almost always sends an invite to predators...no one is watching, time for a snack. Your neighbor could come into a scene of carnage from a predator if you have not solved that problem. Another thing that would cause stress on your neighbor.

So bottomline, when you have 1 single bird, you could absolutely introduce the birds now without isolation if the new birds came from the same source (and even more so if your original bird came from the same source). That would give you a month to integrate your girls to them. You do risk your girl catching something, but your flock is so small that the principles of flock dynamics don't apply.

Some believe it is better to simply integrate and keep only those that have stamina and resistance to disease.

However, if she is a beloved pet, and don't want to risk potential disease to your flock of 1, I would wait until your return...or use the 14 day rule of isolation then integrate over the last 2 weeks. A little more risk but not so much as no isolation.

Good luck with your new flockmates and the integration to your little Silkie.

My thoughts
LofMc

 

[Jenergie]

I cannot express how much I appreciate your wise response! This helps so much.

She is actually doing quite well. It's been 2 weeks since we lost her companion to a possum. I am usually very vigilant about placing them in their coop at dusk. However, July 4th we were out later than expected and unfortunately too late to save her. Lesson learned! This is also another reason I was wary to have 4 chickens for my friend to round up.

The following first few days, she seemed more skittish than usual, and perhaps a tad lost without her friend. However, she seems to be quite alright being alone at the moment. She forages the yard, seems to occupy her time well, doesn't pace or squawk any more than normal and keeps a fairly regular schedule of where she wants to be throughout the day. She will comes to me when I bring her daily treats of Watermelon and Romaine to keep her cool during these hot Texas summers. She has not laid any eggs since, but considering the circumstances and heat, I expected as much.

As for introducing a new flock, I would feel much better about observing the 30 day quarantine protocol, and be around to observe. Plus, I am not wholly prepared as per your instructions to keep the new chickens as far away as possible and the diligence involved with handling everything completely separate. I worry about the predator factor and do not wish to put 1 chicken in harms way, much less 4.

Though we have not yet (knock on wood) had any coop invasions, we are in the process of buying a more secure coop with a fenced in run that she will live in while we are away. So, all in all, I think your recommendation of keeping her solo, yet secure is probably the best choice. I will continue to observe her and if she starts acting desperate for social activity, I may reconsider and go with the 14 day deal.

LofMc, you are amazing! Thank you for helping me out on this one!

Jenergie

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would get day olds and skip the whole quarantine thing, much less risk.

Good luck

Gary

 

[Jenergie]

I would get day olds and skip the whole quarantine thing, much less risk.

Good luck

Gary

Thanks, Gary!
Do you mean day old chicks? Could you clarify:I was told that unless the existing hen was ever a mother, that she might eat them or at the least not take care of them? How would they be OK, basically unattended by me when they are only but 4 weeks? thx

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Gary has a good suggestion...and you have a Silkie, remember?

Silkies generally LOVE to go broody. She will sooner or later. In that case, put some dud eggs under her (or you could get some fertile eggs if you are willing to deal with the roosters that could hatch). When it is the appropriate time, at least 2 weeks into her brood, but better if the full 3 weeks, put some day old chicks under her.

You avoid any isolation and she raises her next flock mates which means she will be top hen.

Silkies generally make really good mothers and foster well....but unless very experienced broodies, will need to be in a broody mood or they may harass and peck the chicks.

Or you could heat lamp brood the day olds in the house and integrate them with the Silkie at about 4 to 6 weeks of age, depending upon the personality of your Silkie girl.

I would not let them free range for a few weeks until flock order is settled and the youngers are old enough to be safe while ranging.

Doesn't solve the immediate problem as you don't want to introduce chicks now...but if you get lucky and she goes broody, you could set eggs within 21 days of your return date.

That would make easy care for your friend...just daily checking on momma and making sure she is eating/drinking/pooing at least once a day.

LofMc

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Thanks, Gary!
Do you mean day old chicks? Could you clarify:I was told that unless the existing hen was ever a mother, that she might eat them or at the least not take care of them? How would they be OK, basically unattended by me when they are only but 4 weeks? thx

No, after you return...

Gary

 

[MAK Durrani]

Hi, Y'all!
I'm new to this forum and would super appreciate any insight my fellow chicken keepers could share with me...

Here is my situation. Over the last 6 months, my flock of 4 Silkie hens has dwindled down to 1 hen. 2 were lost to predators, 1 to natural causes. I've been wanting to get 3 more hens to re-establish my flock. However, I have a week-long vacation planned in a month. I really, really do not want to leave my only hen alone. I have been recommended to a 28 day quarantine period for the new girls before introducing them. So, that means I would be introducing them only days before I leave for a week. I'm not very comfortable about that, but also not comfortable leaving my hen alone for a week. She will be well taken care of. I have a chicken loving friend that would stop and check on her (or them, if that's the case) and put her in her coop at dusk, and my neighbor would let her out in the morning and check on her throughout the day.
Any wisdom is much appreciated!
Thank you

Sorry, but a Predator may take her as well. There is no second chance and if the neighbor forgets to close her in the evening. Your attention is different than neighbor. So I advise to let her be close in the cage for one month but request your friend and neighbor to feed and put clean water on regular basis. Thats the better option. Thanks

 

[aart]

a fenced in run that she will live in while we are away.

I'd make this your sole focus for now.
Get that secure run built asap so she can get used to being confined before you leave.
She probably won't like it, but give it time....and don't indulge(or take on) her anxiety.
Calm cool confident....that the new run is best for her in the long run haha!
Slowly shorten her range hours and increase her confined hours.
Hopefully the run will be in deep shade or provide some.
Put lots of distractions in the run to keep her stimulated and distracted from being confined. Old tables and/or chairs, roosts, pallets leaned up against walls or raised on concrete blocks, stumps, logs, ...lots of things you could use.
Best of cLuck!
Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!

 

[Jenergie]

I'd make this your sole focus for now.
Get that secure run built asap so she can get used to being confined before you leave.
She probably won't like it, but give it time....and don't indulge(or take on) her anxiety.
Calm cool confident....that the new run is best for her in the long run haha!
Slowly shorten her range hours and increase her confined hours.
Hopefully the run will be in deep shade or provide some.
Put lots of distractions in the run to keep her stimulated and distracted from being confined. Old tables and/or chairs, roosts, pallets leaned up against walls or raised on concrete blocks, stumps, logs, ...lots of things you could use.
Best of cLuck!
Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!

Thanks!