My hen is depressed :(

[WoodlandWoman]

For a depressed dog, due to the loss of another dog in the family, I do a few different things. Basically, more of their favorite things. Walks, rides in the car, playing with their favorite toys, giving some of their favorite treats, good things to chew on, belly rubs, etc. I try to promote pleasurable activities, to stimulate pleasure chemicals in the brain. Stimulating activities increase brain activity, as well as the rest of the body. Depression isn't just an emotion, it's a physical condition.

For a chicken, I would normally suggest you give her some of her favorite treats. Since she's not eating treats with the others, can you try giving her something really special, on her own? Maybe spoil her with some live bugs from the pet store? A few mealworms or crickets would be very exciting and stimulating. Or a big juicy grasshopper, if you can find one. There are all kinds of foods chickens like. Besides her favorites, you could also try some new foods. The one thing mine can't resist, is hulled sunflower seeds.

If she's normally penned, you could try letting her go on a little supervised walk. Just follow along with her, while she explores and forages. If you can, dig up a clump of grass and put it in her pen. Let her eat the grass and dig/scratch through the dirt, looking for whatever she can find. Sprinkle a little seed for her to find in her pen during the day. Maybe give the chickens a little leaf pile to scratch through. You could put some greens in a suet cage and hang it in her pen to peck at. Basically, anything she might like to do and anything that would encourage activity.

I suspect that temporarily, you might have better success working with her away from the other chickens, since they'll probably gobble everything down immediately, before she has time to try anything. Just for a little bit each day, until she starts to come out of this. I hope she adjusts to the loss of her friend soon. Poor girl. Chicken relationships can be so challenging, sometimes.

I'm sure there are a lot of people that would leave her be and do nothing. I just wanted to offer some suggestions, as possibilities.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Very good WoodlandWoman! If airheart can encourage her till she has a chance to find her a friend, good.
Airheart, your EE may not be able to join the Red Stars unless she has a friend by her side. My EE's never do well by themselves. There is truth in the saying that there is strenght in numbers.

My EE's hang out together, for the most part, even though they are in a mixed flock. The best of luck, airheart, on helping your Penny.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Thank you, WoodlandWoman, very good suggestions. i did take Penny out this morning and let her peck around while i worked on setting up a separate pen with her old coop (converted rabbit hutch) inside. i sat down with her for a while and handed her some mealworms. She loved that. She's more of a people-chicken rather then a chicken-chicken. When we lived down in Los Angeles, she was always out with us when we were in the backyard, as the weather is so nice all the time. She would wander into my husband's studio or peek in the back door while i cooked or did dishes. She was used to hanging out with us. The fact that we aren't spending as much time with her has probably compounded the sadness of losing her friend.

i posted on craigslist looking for a new buddy. One person responded that they have a Buff Cochin that isn't really fitting in with their flock. He says she's shy and hangs by herself a lot, as the other hens peck on her. i do have one bantam cochin in my little girl pen who seems fairly pleasant, but not very familiar with the breed.

keeperofthehearth, do you think a standard-size cochin might fit well, personality-wise with an EE? Or would you suggest i just get another EE? It's so funny how sensitive Penny is. We had a brief period before we got her last friend when she was alone. She made the saddest sounds, almost like she was moaning.

Anyhow, any suggestions on breed buddies would be great.

 

[ametauss]

I almost cried.... I had two beautiful Americaunas that were buddy buddy.... Brownie and Snow.... I introduced both to the existing flock at the same time and they pretty much stayed together...

Well, Snow was killed by one of our now gone dogs and for 6 weeks Brownie was like a lost puppy.... She still doesn't really associate with the others but she's coming around... I make an extra effort to catch her and pet her to give her some love and attention...

I can never replace Snow as you might with the one you rehomed but, know that she'll get over it..... it takes time and if you push her to accept your attention it does get better....

Best of Luck...

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i'm so sorry about Snow, ametauss. Hope your Brownie is able to overcome the loss. i hope i can find a good buddy for Penny. i actually like her better in a smaller pen, rather than part of a big group (if you can call half a dozen big).

Here's a picture of her. She looks especially miserable as she is in the middle of her first big moult. But those are some sad eyes.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

It sounds like she had a lovely time with you. I'm sure it made her feel better and was good for her.

I feel bad for all the little grieving chickens. And people.

I hope it get's better for everyone soon!

 

[kinnip]

Poor baby. It sounds like you're doing what you can. Establishing a routine can be pretty helpful with depressed anythings. Putting her back in an old coop sounds like a good idea. Nothing says comfort like the familiar.

 

[DDRanch]

Oh, it is so hard to watch. I have had similiar experience with my girls when their buddies die. The depression I have seen lasts several weeks. Woodland Woman has some wonderful suggestions. Let us know how it works out. She is very pretty, even in molt.