Only one hen and a rooster left 🙁

[travelingchick]

We had a possum attack and the lone survivors are one hen and one rooster. I currently don’t have any chicks brooding and am not sure what to do to build up a flock again after we fortify our run. Our rooster (Rhode Island Red) hasn’t been the nicest and I’m worried about him picking on the one remaining hen. I’ve read about introducing a new hen to a larger flock but not the other way around, and the presence of the rooster also complicates things (although we aren’t particularly attached to him—he’s been difficult. The remaining hen, on the other hand, is my daughter’s favorite). I welcome any tips!

 

[Callender Girl]

I am so sorry for your losses. If there's any bright spot at all, it's that your daughter's favorite hen survived.

I lost three of my four original hens to a mink, and it took a while for the survivor to calm down and settle in. I, fortunately, had a second coop of hens I could temporarily house Honey with. I popped her into that coop the night of the attack. There weren't really any issues, she just didn't seem happy there. I let her go back to her old house, alone, after a couple of days.

Eventually, Honey became her old self, and I let her free range during the days with her attack-night roommates. They came to form a friendship and now happily live together. They are the grand dames of the property.

I'm not sure about the rooster. I would guess he was also shook up by the attack and MIGHT develop some kinder feelings for his remaining hen. You never what's going to happen when the dynamics shift so suddenly.

Best of luck with fortifying the run, and with your hen and rooster.

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you have the ability to hatch chicks from eggs that you have so as to perpetuate your lost ladies through their offspring?

 

[travelingchick]

I am so sorry for your losses. If there's any bright spot at all, it's that your daughter's favorite hen survived.

I lost three of my four original hens to a mink, and it took a while for the survivor to calm down and settle in. I, fortunately, had a second coop of hens I could temporarily house Honey with. I popped her into that coop the night of the attack. There weren't really any issues, she just didn't seem happy there. I let her go back to her old house, alone, after a couple of days.

Eventually, Honey became her old self, and I let her free range during the days with her attack-night roommates. They came to form a friendship and now happily live together. They are the grand dames of the property.

I'm not sure about the rooster. I would guess he was also shook up by the attack and MIGHT develop some kinder feelings for his remaining hen. You never what's going to happen when the dynamics shift so suddenly.

Best of luck with fortifying the run, and with your hen and rooster.

I’m so sorry for the delayed reply— thank you for your kind words! We have fortified the run and are slowly introducing some new pullets. All is well so far. So glad your Honey adjusted!

 

[travelingchick]

Do you have the ability to hatch chicks from eggs that you have so as to perpetuate your lost ladies through their offspring?

Alas, I wasn’t able to do that, but what a sweet suggestion— thanks!