My baby chicken loves me too much. What do I do?

[RainbowBirds_of_a_Feather]

I am not too clear about the chick being alone or with others in it's cage, but i have to agree to other responses. It does need to have chicken company with other chicks in it's size/age range. Plus having a stuffed animal and mirrors will make it feel like it has company, if it is a loner. Chickens like to be in flocks for security and warm. So a loner often cries out for company, even adult birds too.

 

[Want Less]

I like the mirror & stuffed toy ideas if getting her a buddy isn't an option, in addition to maybe using a cover so that she can't see you all the time?

 

[fowltemptress]

You shouldn't have adopted just one chick, the poor thing. They're a flock species, and need company. Go out and get it a friend or two . . . two would be better. That way if one died, there'd still be one to keep it company. If getting it a buddy isn't an option, the best thing to do would be to adopt it out to someplace where that is an option. They really are not meant to be alone at all.

 

[Ruckus]

First, thanks for all the suggestions. We put in a mirror and a stuffed animal and she's happy as can be. Last night she cuddled up in the arms of her stuffed dog and went right to sleep, and right this minute she is having a conversation with herself in the mirror and trying to see where the other chicken went when she looks over the mirror, but is otherwise beside herself with happy little cheeps.

Secondly, this is the second time I've come to this forum for help, and while the overwhelming majority of you are fantastic people with great advice, some of you are well intentioned but have a habit of scolding people for not knowing as much as you think you know about chickens. I am not an evil person and I am not cackling maniacally as I slowly torture baby chickens to death, so don't smack me on the nose, please, when I ask for help. There are no absolutes in nature - chicks don't *NEED* company though they may vastly prefer it. It's a chicken, for pete's sakes, calm down. It thinks its own poop is food and forgets where its water dish is. Buying more than one chick wasn't an option. The seller had promised the others to other people so only one was for sale, we can't afford a cage large enough for more than one, and frankly, we only wanted one, so getting more isn't an option.

In any case, problem solved. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[RainbowBirds_of_a_Feather]

Quote:
First, I am glad you used some suggestions. It is good to know she has settled some.

Secondly, I am glad you found peace of mind.

 

[fowltemptress]

I'm so sorry you took my post so strangely.

I hope you change your mind soon and find some company for it in the future.

 

[kysilkies]

The mirror works great but nothing replaces a buddy...We just had one hatch last Sunday and couldn't wait for another which only took until Wednesday...Only 30 more eggs to go!

 

[MareeZoCool]

Put a stuffed chicken toy in with her? My younguns used to huddle up with a stuffed dog! And to keep her from seeing you, cover the cage with a old sheet.