not sure what to do?

[TandyRanch9]

hello! thanks for your time. I have recently taken in a chicken, a rescue from a dog attack, that was rejected by a friends flock .
She is a Silver Laced Wyandotte. They really pecked the poo out of her poor girl. My husband and I have built a small coop and I would like to have just a few chickens not a really large flock. I have only had her here a few days but I'm already afraid she is lonely. The lady at the local store told me that Wyandotte's are quite motherly and she could possibly adopt a few chicks. She does not seem to be broody at this point. Has anyone had much experience with this? Or experience with keeping a single chicken for any length of time?

 

[happyhens1972]

I would definitely get her a couple of friends but not chicks. She will not adopt them unless she is broody and may kill them....they may be seen as food!

Get her a couple of friends of close to or the same size as her and introduce them through a wire for a week or so before putting them in together. A single hen will be very lonely indeed but leaving her too long on her own will make introductions harder....they really don't know what's good for them! Lol!

 

[ChickenLove6]

I agree get her a couple of friends but not chicks. Maybe one day she'll become a broody mother but don't risk the chance of her killing them when she's not broody. good luck!

 

[TandyRanch9]

Thanks for the responses. Of course now I just have more questions lol. If I buy adult chickens, and they have not been handled much, will they get used to it? I have no clue what kind of upbringing my hen has had or even how old she is because I rescued her from a dog that was just running around with her in his mouth. I have tried to handle her for a short time everyday but I'm afraid she is just getting more freaked out than anything. I see all these cute stories about hens sitting on peoples laps and such and that just seems so very cute, I would love to have that. Thanks some more!!!

 

[Gracedby3]

Where are you located? Maybe you can find someone like me that will be looking for a home for my chicks once they get big enough to go outside. Mine will be super tame.

 

[BlueEggsDaily]

That's really hard- especially if you don't know the upbringing of other adult hens- raising them as chicks gives you the best chance to have the sweetest hens. We raised all ours and they all follow us around, come when we call, sit on our laps, and are extremely submissive to us and my kids. Also getting hens not knowing their background could also be unhealthy to any other hens/chicks you may have. Chickens raised unhealthily in a dirty environment could bring bad diseases to your other hens- so you would have to make sure you trust the seller and see where they were raised just to be sure. It's spring- so maybe she could become broody soon- you can try especially if she is lonely she may welcome little chicks-
Try putting in fake eggs and see if she try's to sit in them. Anyways, that's hard- I hope whatever you try works!

 

[happyhens1972]

I have found that the best way to a hen's heart is through her stomach! Rather than keep trying to handle her, which is only, in her henny head, the same as what that dog did to her....feed her treats. Don't go too mad, she needs proper nutrition from layers pellets so musn't be filled with 'junk' but in the afternoons, when she has had her nurtitional needs met, sit with her and feed her mealworms. I have never found a hen yet, no matter how flighty, that wasn't eventually won over by food....and mealies are a firm favourite of all!!

Talk to her gently and make no attempts to touch her. She will gradually come to trust you and then you may be able to stroke her and pick her up but some hens just never get to that. I have girls who are very friendly, will jump in my lap and sleep but still don't want me holding them or stroking them. It's not natural for a bird to want to be held....holding is dying in a bird's head....so go slowly and gently and bribe her with goodies!!

 

[ChickenLove6]

I agree feed her treats especially mealworms chickens love mealworms so much! Put the treats in your hand and let her eat them from there. Hopefully she will earn your trust. If she let's you stroke her with out running away try the next step and pick her up. good luck!