Single chicken behavior

[tckrozell]

So my husband and i have 4 chickens and 7 ducks all in the same area together. We are thinking about getting rid of all of them but 1 which is our "baby" but we are worried. Will she be ok going from being with a bunch of others to being bt herself?

 

[sourland]

Chickens are 'flock' creatures, and she will be unhappy by herself. Why not cut back to 3 including your "baby"? That way if something happens to one of them there are still two left for companionship.

 

[Lost Bird]

I had one chicken - well, she had me. She showed up in my yard and stayed. But she was terribly lonely and would do her best to make a roo call to find friends.

She disappeared one day; suspect a predator got her. But have three chickens now and when they can't find each other they bock-bock their loud scared cry. I have to go out and find them and get them together before they stop.

 

[Teila]

When I started on my chicken adventure I only had two girls; sadly, one passed away and the one girl on her own was desperate for company. I had to dash out and buy her a friend.

I agree with sourland in that I would now never have less than 3. Meaning that if I did lose one, there would still be two for company and I would have time to find a replacement.

I have heard of people having one chicken as a family pet and some do OK but maybe these were raised as a single chick.

I do think that a chicken that was used to company finding herself alone would be very upset.

 

[aart]

I'd maybe get rid of the ducks and see how it goes with the chickens only.

But have to ask....why are thinking of getting rid of them?