Should I get Another Chicken NOW?

[wynncreations]

We had a dog attack that took one and severely injured another who will likely be in the garage an extended amount of time. This leaves just one chicken in the yard doing her thing. Will she be okay for a month or two alone? Should I do something to help the injured chicken deal with being alone?

I was planning on getting another handful of chicks this spring, should I pull the trigger now and let them hang out with the injured momma hen? I'm in Texas so its not crazy cold. Should I look around for a hen to add to the yard flock to keep my solo girl accompanied?

 

[sourland]

Any possibility of penning the uninjured bird next to her in the garage ?

 

[wynncreations]

Any possibility of penning the uninjured bird next to her in the garage ?

I supposed I could do that. Didn't even consider it, think it would be okay not being able to get out and go for an extended amount of time like that?

 

[sourland]

You could do a combination of garage time and some pen/outside time. It would provide companionship for both birds.

 

[wynncreations]

Thanks I'll see if I can get the enclosure I built out back into the garage. Its a little big, but like you said would give them some time together.

 

[aart]

Could you put the injured bird in a crate in the coop?

 

[wynncreations]

Could you put the injured bird in a crate in the coop?

I built Rose(injured hen) a smaller enclosure for the garage I could move that inside their run area. Think she would be okay in the cooler temps while recovering? She is completely immobile at the moment and pretty much just sleeps 24/7.

 

[aart]

I built Rose(injured hen) a smaller enclosure for the garage I could move that inside their run area. Think she would be okay in the cooler temps while recovering? She is completely immobile at the moment and pretty much just sleeps 24/7.

If your run is 100% weather and predator proof, yes.
How cool she can handle may depend on how badly she is injured.

 

[wynncreations]

If your run is 100% weather and predator proof, yes.
How cool she can handle may depend on how badly she is injured.

Yeah I'll probably need to add some weather proofing. As is the "run" is just an open air enclosure with chicken wire that is attached to the coop.

 

[aart]

Yeah I'll probably need to add some weather proofing. As is the "run" is just an open air enclosure with chicken wire that is attached to the coop.

Sounds like you'd need predator proofing too.