Lonely Chicken

[Sundog24]

We lost all but one of our golden comet hens to a bear attack over the weekend. After we fortify the coop, we need to get another chicken or two to keep her company, I know they don’t do well on their own. Would it be best to only add one in this case? We had issues trying to add one to our full flock earlier in the year, and they were pretty horrible to the new chicken, so we returned her. I’m thinking if we only add one, they will be on a level playing field and can establish a pecking order easily, but I’m not sure. Does anyone have experience with adding hens to an “orphan” hen? Does the fact that the coop/run is her domain give her some power to handle adding multiple chickens?

 

[CluckerFamily]

I don't have experience adding to an orphaned hen.
I normally always add enough to the flock so that they can still hang together if the flock separates.

 

[Hei 20]

We lost all but one of our golden comet hens to a bear attack over the weekend. After we fortify the coop, we need to get another chicken or two to keep her company, I know they don’t do well on their own. Would it be best to only add one in this case? We had issues trying to add one to our full flock earlier in the year, and they were pretty horrible to the new chicken, so we returned her. I’m thinking if we only add one, they will be on a level playing field and can establish a pecking order easily, but I’m not sure. Does anyone have experience with adding hens to an “orphan” hen? Does the fact that the coop/run is her domain give her some power to handle adding multiple chickens?

I'm sorry for your loss

 

[Sundog24]

I don't have experience adding to an orphaned hen.
I normally always add enough to the flock so that they can still hang together if the flock separates.

Okay, thank you!

 

[abraga]

Anytime you add new chickens there's usually a bit of fussing as chickens will establish a pecking order. Weather you add one or more there will likely be some fussing initially. I would add more than one, that way, a single hen will not bear the brunt of pecking order establishment. Feed them when u add tge new hens, perhaps an extra feed pan, lots of treats to keep them busy. There will be some fussing amongst the hens as they establish pecking order but it should resolve itself quickly. You can also try introducing them with a barrier between them for a few days to, but they will still need to work out who's the top hen.

 

[Sundog24]

I'm sorry for your loss

Anytime you add new chickens there's usually a bit of fussing as chickens will establish a pecking order. Weather you add one or more there will likely be some fussing initially. I would add more than one, that way, a single hen will not bear the brunt of pecking order establishment. Feed them when u add tge new hens, perhaps an extra feed pan, lots of treats to keep them busy. There will be some fussing amongst the hens as they establish pecking order but it should resolve itself quickly. You can also try introducing them with a barrier between them for a few days to, but they will still need to work out who's the top hen.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Pghelp]

Sorry to hear you lost most of your flock. I wouldn't add just one. If possible I would consider a few all near the same age, maybe 3 or 4 juveniles who could hang out together.

 

[Sundog24]

Thank you for your advice! I was worried they might gang up on her.

 

[Pghelp]

If they're younger than her, I doubt they will. She's going to be queen of the coop so she might peck them a bit and remind them of that. My fear is that if you only get one, she may torment that lonely one instead of seeing it as a companion. Good luck!

 

[Sundog24]

If they're younger than her, I doubt they will. She's going to be queen of the coop so she might peck them a bit and remind them of that. My fear is that if you only get one, she may torment that lonely one instead of seeing it as a companion. Good luck!

That makes sense. Thanks so much!