Only one chicken

[UrbanChickFarm]

So yesterday my Bowie girl went to chicken heaven.
I only had two chickens so now it’s just Coco.
I’m worried about her, they’ve been together since chicks. Do you think I need to get her a couple more chicks to keep her company? She’s very friendly and I have kids and a dog and she roams in our backyard. Also I have no idea why Bowie died she was only 5, if it was old age or a decease, would the decease get passed on? How can I keep coco safe?

 

[Silviaschicks]

You should get at least one more hen, otherwise Coco will be lonely. Chickens are social animals. Bowie likely died from old age, 5 years is a good chicken life

 

[UrbanChickFarm]

You should get at least one more hen, otherwise Coco will be lonely. Chickens are social animals. Bowie likely died from old age, 5 years is a good chicken life

Thanks for your reply. Should I look for an older chicken too or are chicks ok?

 

[Tonyroo]

If you still have the dead chicken, examine her body for cuts, abrasions, and parasites, look inside her mouth for lesions or fungus, feel her body to check for unusual lumps. If everything seems normal she probably died from old age.

 

[Tonyroo]

Thanks for your reply. Should I look for an older chicken too or are chicks ok?

If you get any new chicken they must be quarantined, to make sure it's healthy and not carrying any diseases for 30 days or 3 weeks minimum.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm very sorry for your loss...

I'd get at least 2 more, in case something happens to one. Otherwise, you'd be back to only one.

(Edited because I forgot how to type, apparently! What was THAT word salad??? )

 

[Aunt Angus]

Ooh! Maybe get some rescues!

 

[Silviaschicks]

since she's a silkie, you could wait for her to get broody and have her raise chicks

 

[UrbanChickFarm]

since she's a silkie, you could wait for her to get broody and have her raise chicks

I would love this. She’s always broody too. How would I go about doing this? Have you done it?

 

[3KillerBs]

I would love this. She’s always broody too. How would I go about doing this? Have you done it?

There are many sources for hatching eggs. Do you know anyone locally with a rooster in their flock? Or you could order chicks from a hatchery and slip them under her to adopt (there are threads and articles on this process), which would keep you from having to worry about what to do with any roosters that hatch.