Raising one chicken?

[aimee]

Hi, I've been looking into raising a chicken for a few years now and have a question that I can't seem to find an answer for.

Can you just raise one chicken or should there be a few of them?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

Quote:
I don’t see why you can’t raise just one chicken it would be like one dog, one cat or whatever. They would probably be happier with a buddy but if it is a pet and you can give it time it should be fine.

 

[HenHappy]

Aimee... Chickens are very social and need to have freinds. I personally would say three is a good minimum. They can establish a small pecking order, and will be much happier. I have four (one is a rescue) and they seem to be doing very well.


Warning: hanging out on this site can lead to yearnings for bigger and bigger flocks!!!

 

[chickbea]

Oh, your little chicken needs a friend! They can do OK on their own, but are SO much happier when they have a buddy or two.

 

[aimee]

Thanks everyone.

Actually, I would like to have a couple but it's my DH that's not to sure about it.

 

[jimnjay]

Chicken are flock animals and much of thier behaviour is based on flock interaction and instinct. It would probably do ok but it would be much better to have at the very least two. JMHO

 

[SpottedCrow]

I've had two times where I've only had one bird. The first time, Jerry's sister, Tom, was killed by a raccoon and he would follow me all over the place. I WAS his flock. The second time happened this past August when my hen Slifer died of an infection. Obelisk looked for her sister for a couple of days and then was like, oh well, I guess I'll go outside and run around...She was fine with not having a buddy, but she got one anyways and wasn't really happy about it, still isn't really, but getting better about it.