Lone Stray Chicken

[Lysystrata]

I've adopted a stray chicken. I tried to find the owner and failed, and now I don't want to give the bird up. I didn't know chickens could be so affectionate and amusing, and I'm having so much fun with this one that I want to keep her. Only problem is I don't have other chickens and am worried that a single chicken won't do well. This is an older hen, not a layer, and might have been chucked out for not being productive. Will she be OK for the rest of her life if she only has people to hang out with? She gets a lot of attention and responds well to it. She's proven herself a good "watch dog", eats like a feathered pig, and likes pretty much everyone, even little kids. I CAN re-home her if necessary; I have 2 offers from flock owners. Is it better for the hen to introduce her to an established flock, or keep her as a pet?

 

[Pyxis]

If you give her plenty of attention, she might be fine. This might sound a little weird to you, but had you considered keeping her as a house pet so you don't have to giver her up? Actually a lot of people do this, and if she's as affection as you say, this might be a good option for her. There are even diapers you can buy from other members here to put her in so that she can run around the house without pooping on everything. I do this for my lone goose (she lives outside but likes to come in to visit and go on car trips).

Alternately, had you considered getting just one other bird to keep her company? Maybe one of the people who offered to take her would sell you one hen? Or I'm sure someone is selling one on your local craigslist. Two chickens are pretty much the same amount of work as one Plus, it's very hard on a bird to be introduced to an established flock, especially on her own. The others will beat the tar out of her while trying to settle the new pecking order and might gang up on her, and she'll have no one for support - you almost always want to introduce at least two birds to a flock at a time.

Oh, and !

 

[Lysystrata]

Thank you so much! I think getting one more bird should be possible. Do you think I should I try to find a chick, or an older hen? I was worried about my old hen going to an established flock--I have a couple of farming friends who said exactly what you did, that the flock would beat up on a newcomer.

Chicken diapers, hey? Sounds crazy, but I'm willing to try it!

Regards, Lysystrata

 

[Pyxis]

If you wanted her to have a friend right away, you'd want to get a grown hen. You could get a chick, but then you'd have to keep the chick separate from her while it grew and you'd want a friend for the chick so it doesn't get lonely and then you'd have two chicks...it's a cycle