One lonely chook

[unknown1995]

Hi everyone,
I've been away on prac for uni and left my parents in charge of my flock that was already down to just 2 chickens and while i was away another one died. We dont know how, there was apparently a fair bit of diarrhoea so i'm thinking she ate something bad, but anyway now there is only one left and she just seems lonely, is there anyway to comfort her in the meantime as i'm quite busy at the moment and dont have much time to go searching for flock mates for her? And how do i introduce new chickens if we decide to get more?

 

[BYCforlife]

Hi everyone,
I've been away on prac for uni and left my parents in charge of my flock that was already down to just 2 chickens and while i was away another one died. We dont know how, there was apparently a fair bit of diarrhoea so i'm thinking she ate something bad, but anyway now there is only one left and she just seems lonely, is there anyway to comfort her in the meantime as i'm quite busy at the moment and dont have much time to go searching for flock mates for her? And how do i introduce new chickens if we decide to get more?

I would reccomend you give your last chicken a mirror for company. I think you should introduce new flock members in the night, so she hears them clucking but can't see them to attack them. In the morning the pecking order will be established.

 

[chickens really]

Try and find two hens or older pullets and put them into the Coop and run...Put the remaining Hen in a look no touch pen for a few days and then introduce while they free range....Dont try tricking her into thinking the new birds just magically appeared...Pecking order will need to be established and the original Hen will be protective of her territory...

 

[aart]

is there anyway to comfort her in the meantime as i'm quite busy at the moment and dont have much time to go searching for flock mates for her? And how do i introduce new chickens if we decide to get more?

Taking care of chooks does take some time, especially integrating new ones. The loose stools could be a one time ingestion of something 'bad'..more likely it's overall diet, or disease. Might better to spend what little time you have finding a new home for your one bird.
Sounds like they may be carrying as respiratory illness?:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-is-acting-funny.998631/

I think you should introduce new flock members in the night, so she hears them clucking but can't see them to attack them. In the morning the pecking order will be established.

If only it were that easy! It takes more than a bit of clucking in the dark to establish pecking order.
Adding new birds at night can work, on the premise that the existing flock won't know there's new birds present, but it's rare.
Like @bobbi-j sez: "chickens aren't the brightest animals on this planet, but they're not that stupid."

 

[BYCforlife]

Taking care of chooks does take some time, especially integrating new ones. The loose stools could be a one time ingestion of something 'bad'..more likely it's overall diet, or disease. Might better to spend what little time you have finding a new home for your one bird.
Sounds like they may be carrying as respiratory illness?:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-is-acting-funny.998631/

If only it were that easy! It takes more than a bit of clucking in the dark to establish pecking order.
Adding new birds at night can work, on the premise that the existing flock won't know there's new birds present, but it's rare.
Like @bobbi-j sez: "chickens aren't the brightest animals on this planet, but they're not that stupid."

Lol! I know it will be a little crazy, but it will happen some way or another.