Lone chicken and southern winters

[sweetchix]

I am down to one Buff Orphington hen who is 3 years old and always been bossy. Can she survive the winter by herself? We live in Memphis where the winters aren't terribly cold and we do have the coop insulated during the winter. I plan to get more in the spring. Do you think she will survive the winter or do I need to find her a home with otner chickens?

 

[aart]

A lone bird will not suffer from the weather,
(as long as that insulated coop is also very well ventilated)
as much has it might suffer from the lack of comradery.

Your climate is pretty mild, do you even need to have a heated waterer?

Chickens are flock animals and are usually most comfortable with other birds living alongside them.
Some single birds would be fine on their own, others may not.

How long have her flock mates been gone?
How is her overall health, activity levels?
As long as she's eating, drinking, pooping well,
and is not despondent or inactive...she'll probably be just fine.

Keep in mind, that tho she may spend the long winter all alone,
she may not be overjoyed to have other birds move into her space come spring/summer.
Depending on your integration plans, experience, and space available,
it might be easier in the long run to give her away now and start with an all new flock next year.

 

[sweetchix]

I've lost flock mates at about one a year (had them 3 yrs. and 6 chicks to start). I've lost two this year with the most recent being the day of this post. She seems to be doing fine. She's staying active chasing bugs, following the dog, and me. She seems quite content with the arrangement at the present. We do use a heated waterer in the winter but the coop stays cozy warm.

 

[Mrs. K]

Truth is, you may lose her too. 3 years old is a common age to lose a chicken in my experience. Only time will tell. But I don't think it will be caused by living alone in your described set up.

You might contact the county extension agent, or your local poultry club, and see if you can get a full grown bird from someone. They may squabble a little, but they will settle down in a day or so.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I've lost flock mates at about one a year (had them 3 yrs. and 6 chicks to start). I've lost two this year with the most recent being the day of this post. She seems to be doing fine. She's staying active chasing bugs, following the dog, and me. She seems quite content with the arrangement at the present. We do use a heated waterer in the winter but the coop stays cozy warm.

This always concerns me.......Hopefully you have adequate ventilation.
I see from some of your other posts that you may have(had) a respiratory illness in your flock.
Good ventilation is way more important than a 'warm' coop.