Only one chicken left after attack--how to get her friends?

[cecil-b]

We've had a visiting coyote, and our little flock over 2 attacks has sadly gone from 4 to 1 poor traumatized gal when their coop--two while free-ranging, 1 I believe pulled out of the coop when it wasn't closed up tight. I believe the chickens will continue to be safe if I keep the coop closed and only let them out when I am nearby. I know my one remaining girl needs friends, but not sure if I can introduce new birds while she's so traumatized. She has never gone broody, but I'm wondering about getting 3 little chicks and letting her raise them. Have any of your tried this with a single chicken? Do you think this strategy would help give her purpose and eliminate any potential bullying from new grown hens? Or better just to slowly introduce another full grown girl or two? I appreciate your expertise!

 

[jc04]

Having a simular issue also, after a storm blew our coop over we have gone from 4 happy chickens, to 1 sad girl. Not sure how to introduce new chicks (if I can even get them). Or how to console my lonley Eva, she has been crying out for her sisters and jumping into the fence to try and get closer to us for comfort. Not sure how to make her happy, any ideas?

 

[StephieSky]

There are quite a few options here. For one, you can find a dog crate and make her a pet. Depending on how you feel about that. I brought my hens inside due to illness and have found (after I dispossesed them of their straw! Messy, messy ) they're surprisingly easy to care for and clean too. I'm not a fan of house chickens either so it came as a surprise.

A rubber sheet, an xl dog crate and a .. contented chicken. She's gaining weight while being broody too. AND the best part is that each morning she steps outside and does her business, while each day there are only a few accidents.

This was before I ejected the straw. Every day I'd come home to huge mess! Really, no straw is best if you decide to make her an indoor/outdoor pet. Her friend Liza spends evenings indoors/days outdoors. They have their own radio that plays classical music down low and it has shut them up entirely. Gracie used to be very vocal.

The other option is adopting another adult hen. Two is the magical number My two are best friends always. Even when they argue it only lasts until one or the other walks off, leaving the bratty one alone for a moment.
Chickens always do best with at least one friend.

Craigslist has chickens all the time. Just be careful you don't let a soft heart convince you to adopt a hen that is obviously ill. Look for problems - don't just expect them to tell you about them. If you suspect a hen doesn't look well, she probably isn't.
There's a hatchery near me that advertises on Craigslist and will part with mature hens that don't meet the breed quality standards they've set. Its by appt. only to see the specific hen in the event I decide I want or need one. Try that too. Breeders near you often have more chickens than they want.

Chicks is always an option too. Or cats Interspecies friendships are blooming around here!


Chickens being social and flock oriented animals the most important thing is that you offer companionship. No matter how or who provides it. Solitude and chickens do not mesh.

P.S. In order to get a mature hen from the breeder near me I have to sign a no-competion for pet only agreement. But she'll be a free healthy hen and a ready companion. I've realized I probably won't need a "replacement" friend but still might get a third, depending on a lot of things down the road, once they're outdoors full time again

 

[cecil-b]

Thank you Stephie for the great pics and good ideas. And JC04, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's a sad thing to go through. There are some chicks available at mypetchicken (dot com), though shipping isn't inexpensive. I have located someone in my city with pullets available, but wondering what your experience has been with adopting grown hens. Is it difficult to socialize them? My four gals were raised from chicks (from mypetchicken) and became very tame--not sure if an adult would warm up to people as quickly if not hand raised?

 

[StephieSky]

Not difficult at all When I call the cats I get 2 chickens and 2 cats. I don't even have to do the chicky-chicky-chicky thing lol
As my cats can barely stand one another (they're siblings) I was kind of surprised to see my chickens pair off one with each cat. I didn't think cats and chickens integrated well to begin with. And I do know my cats would eat a chick in less than a heartbeat given the least opportunity to do so. I'd have to say the adult hens are the only way to go for me They're also very, very friendly with Tommy and me when they aren't mad because I've had to dose them with something. They seem to like just hanging out in the same space and if we're outside you can bet the cats and chickens both will be right there watching everything we do lol

 

[jc04]

Thank you for the Advice, I did find a chicken auction in my area, and ended up with 2, 1 year olds. One barred rock, and one EE. They dont seem to be very comforting to my lone survivor. I dont care for them as much as my girl. ( Can tell they were raised as chickens, not pets like mine). Im hoping with time they will warm up to each other, and me. If not, Im going to raise another group next spring and introduce them to my lonley girl, maybe that will be better for her. I guess time will tell.

 

[cecil-b]

I just went to a Poultry Swap this weekend, and got a 4 month old hen, as well as 3 chicks. Like jc04, the newby hen and my remaining loner (a speckled sussex named Lindy) are not yet best friends, and the newby (named Amanda, a Hampshire Delaware cross) is definitely very skittish, but working to get the two of them acclimated, and Amanda a bit more tamed. The chicks are being raised in a separate enclosure, and will join the tiny flock when they get another month or two of size to protect them. One of them is a buff orpington that I'm hoping will become a lap chicken. =)

 

[krisX]

I just lost four six week old pullets yesterday to an attack from a cat. I know it was a cat because it came back last night. I have one baby left and she is upset. Well we all are upset, but she is so pitiful. She needs a companion, I know. Do I get another baby chick or do I get an adolescent? Just want to do right by her... I feel like I failed the others.

 

[HaWkys]

Chickens are flock animals, this means they like to have more than one. You should ABSOLUTELY consider getting another chicken as a companion! There are easy steps to make sure the process is a lot less painful.

-Make sure the chickens are ABOUT the same age.
-Put the chickens in at night and make sure they wake up together.
-Put distractions in so the old chickens are busy while the new ones settle in.
-Make sure there is enough food and water for EVERYONE!

Establishing pecking order takes about a week, so the war should be over in a week.