I am devastated. Tonight I went to close the coop and run and I didn’t see my three chickens so I assumed (stupidly) they were in their coop like they usually were. About 15 minutes later I heard a chicken yell out. The poor girl was taken out as we found feathers. One girl was hiding and the other is missing. Praying the other comes back, but if she doesn’t we have one chicken left. I can’t imagine the stress she is feeling.
We also have had our 8 week old chicks separated from the flock to get used to one another so our one chicken is familiar but it’s only been a few days. Being that our girl may be the only one left, do we introduce her to the chicks now? Or do we hold off? I am sure she is lonely and she isn’t aggressive, she’s a docile Australop who has now lost her best friend and also the lead hen.
Thoughts on what would be best for all of them? I’m about ready to get rid of them all after tonight I feel so horrible. We have decided not to free range any longer. We lost three girls last year as well doesn’t seem worth it.
We also have had our 8 week old chicks separated from the flock to get used to one another so our one chicken is familiar but it’s only been a few days. Being that our girl may be the only one left, do we introduce her to the chicks now? Or do we hold off? I am sure she is lonely and she isn’t aggressive, she’s a docile Australop who has now lost her best friend and also the lead hen.
Thoughts on what would be best for all of them? I’m about ready to get rid of them all after tonight I feel so horrible. We have decided not to free range any longer. We lost three girls last year as well doesn’t seem worth it.
I've never introduced a single hen to babies so I'm no help there but I really feel for you on the losses. Chickens are a hobby with high highs and very low lows unfortunately.
