Lonely hen

[Melontine]

This winter has not been kind. Between weasels, record low temperatures, the wear and tear on my chicken enclosure, and finally a pair of foxes taking off with the rest of our chickens yesterday morning.

We’re still figuring out where to go from here. We had/have plans for a new setup we want to build this spring that should keep our birds much safer, but now we’re down to five ducks and as of twenty minutes ago, one Cochin hen who made her way back to us after the fox attack yesterday.

Beato the surviving hen has been moved into the barn where we’re housing the ducks till we have a permanent set up easy for them (part of what we’re building this spring), though she’s separate from them; The ducks being in a round pen and her in a small dog crate. They can see and hear each other.

She should be safe there and out of the snow now that she doesn’t have friends to help keep her warm.

Beato will be a year old this spring. Still really young and hasn’t even laid her first egg yet. I’m trying to figure out now what will be best for her. I don’t want her to be alone for too long. I can hope maybe another bird or two will return, but I can’t count on it. The odds of even her making it back were slim.

 

[Luv Ducks]

This winter has not been kind. Between weasels, record low temperatures, the wear and tear on my chicken enclosure, and finally a pair of foxes taking off with the rest of our chickens yesterday morning.

We’re still figuring out where to go from here. We had/have plans for a new setup we want to build this spring that should keep our birds much safer, but now we’re down to five ducks and as of twenty minutes ago, one Cochin hen who made her way back to us after the fox attack yesterday.

Beato the surviving hen has been moved into the barn where we’re housing the ducks till we have a permanent set up easy for them (part of what we’re building this spring), though she’s separate from them; The ducks being in a round pen and her in a small dog crate. They can see and hear each other.

She should be safe there and out of the snow now that she doesn’t have friends to help keep her warm.

Beato will be a year old this spring. Still really young and hasn’t even laid her first egg yet. I’m trying to figure out now what will be best for her. I don’t want her to be alone for too long. I can hope maybe another bird or two will return, but I can’t count on it. The odds of even her making it back were slim.

So sorry to hear about all of your loses and I know that had to be hard for you. Are your Ducks females or males. I know you can't put Hens with Drakes but if they are all Hens maybe could she be in with them to keep her company. Hopefully another Hen will return to keep her company if that will not work out. It has been the strangest winter ever for most of the country it seems. We in Ohio lucked out with hardly no snow at all where I am at but surrounding states often got hit hard. It is still cold at night here but above freezing mostly every day which is good. Good luck with your decision. I wish the best for you.

 

[Melontine]

So sorry to hear about all of your loses and I know that had to be hard for you. Are your Ducks females or males. I know you can't put Hens with Drakes but if they are all Hens maybe could she be in with them to keep her company. Hopefully another Hen will return to keep her company if that will not work out. It has been the strangest winter ever for most of the country it seems. We in Ohio lucked out with hardly no snow at all where I am at but surrounding states often got hit hard. It is still cold at night here but above freezing mostly every day which is good. Good luck with your decision. I wish the best for you.

Thank you

The ducks are 15 week old pekins, from my best guess they are 3 hens and 2 drakes.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Thank you

The ducks are 15 week old pekins, from my best guess they are 3 hens and 2 drakes.

You are most welcome. Was she ever with the ducks before? If not maybe you could put just one female in an enclosure with her to keep her company until you can find another Hen. Or maybe her just being able to see the others will be enough for her.

 

[mcdze]

ive had that happen in the past, whole flock but one wiped out by hawks .. asking around can usually produce a rooster someones looking to rehome, and she'll appreciate that more than anything .. meanwhile you could get a dozen mixed farm eggs to incubate on ebay, ive got them under 20 several times .. and id formulate a plan to deal with the predator situation if you want to roam chickens .. a proximity alarm, vame cam, pcp with a thermal, and a shovel is a good kit .. you could sub some strategic lighting for the thermal, thats a bit pricey ..

 

[Melontine]

Putting one of the duck hens with her will be a great idea. I don’t know if she’s ever even seen a duck before today. It’s our first time with them and they’ve been in the barn most of he time.

Not sure about hatching eggs, we’re getting more snow tomorrow and I don’t trust my post office.
But I’m definitely going to see about asking around and maybe seeing if anyone local has any fertile eggs, chicks, or grown birds they’re looking to rehome/sell.

I currently work part time at tractor supply, so I could always try to bring chicks home from there assuming we have any longer than 3 hours. (People are snatching them up so fast)

Getting a good secure set up is crucial here, but major fixes are going to have to wait for the snow to be gone. The barn will have to do for now, but we’ll get there.
Definitely adding some of those suggestions to my list.

 

[Melontine]

 

[Melontine]

Beato is doing good. No other chickens showed up, but at least she’s doing well.

I’ve expanded her space a little more now though haven’t yet put any of the ducks in with her. I’d like to get them enough space they can avoid each other if needed but it’s tricky with them being indoors.
For now she’s getting used to seeing the ducks every day.

I think I will wind up removing my two drakes and having them either rehomed or processed. My sister had been a big advocate for removing either all males or all females as apparently when they’re sexually mature their mating habits disturb her. So if it’s hens vs drakes, we’re gonna stick with the hens.

I think I’ll also plan on getting 4-6 pullets and introducing them to Beato starting around when they’re about 1-2 months so she can have some chicken friends too when they get bigger. That’ll be sometime this spring, not our top priority and I need to discuss it further with everyone, but once construction for our new set up is underway, I think it’d be good.

By then end we would have around 8-10 birds this year. I think that’ll work well for us.

Snow is starting to melt more, I can only hope this will be the end of this winter finally. I’ve got so many ideas for how we’ll rearrange everything and make it easier to maintain even in the harsher conditions.

 

[Melontine]

17 days since the fox came and took most my birds, and this lady comes back home.

Fina is a nearly 2-year old appenzeller Orpington mix, she’s a bit flight and on the smaller size. She’d raised some chicks last year.
She looks healthy, somehow making it nearly 3 weeks out on her own in the midst of winter. (Calendar it’s spring now, but I have my doubts)