solo chicken?

[Qchicken6692]

Is it ok to raise only 1 chicken? It seems as if all the suggestions on the website assume you are going to raise at least two chickens, so are there any problems with raising just one? And, assuming it's ok to raise just one chicken, is it ok to have a chicken coop / pen / run that isn't totally enclosed? What I mean is, can part of the coop have no roof above it? The only reason I could consider for the answer to this question being no is because of predators, but none of the predators on the predators page live in my area (S. Jersey). Obviously I have never raised chickens, so if you could give me any other tips they would be greatly appreciated. My main intention is to use this as a great learning experience. I'm curious as to what it would feel like to raise a chicken, newly hatched, all the way up to its maturity. Again, please answer my first two questions plus any other hints you have.

 

[mychickensrock]

Chickens are social animals. They need buddies! You need to have at least 2. They do need somewhere totally enclosed to sleep. That way they'll be safe.

 

[jhmoore]

Welcome- you certainly came to the right place for information before getting started.

It IS very highly suggested to have more than one chicken- three s a minimum I would suggest. They are flock animals, so they thrive in groups. Also, if you have two, and one gets sick, dies, the other will become lonely. I currently have 9 chickens and one had to be isolated after being pecked at and injured. She has been by herself for about 10 days, and is becoming lonely. I can tell by her "talking" and behavior that she misses her friends.

I think you're smart to research a lot before getting your chickens. If you just want to experience a chicken in its lifecycle, please make sure you're ready to commit to its entire lifetime- maybe 10 plus years.

Good luck, and I hope you find all the answers you need. Keep us posted.

 

[MissJames]

Quote:
Chickens are happiest with other chickens.And I've never heard of a place in the USA without racoons.They thrive in the city and country alike.And cats and stray dogs.
Is there a reason you only want one?

 

[Catalina]

Yay a New Egg!

 

[Omran]

Man it is just too depressing to be alone especially in a coop. that chicken will feel like she is in jail with no parole. I tell you what if you put me in paradise by myself... i would just feel bored, even if i had lots of good food.

 

[jvls1942]

Yes, you can raise one chicken..

do not believe that there are no predators near you.. there is no such place..

the chicken will bond to you as if you were another chicken if it never knows another chicken..

if you have a dog ,it might bond to the dog.. who knows??

It will mature in about 6 or 7 months and if it does not work out give it to someone who has more chickens..

do not inflict your human emotions upon any animal..

 

[cmom]

Here is a great reference book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent guide, as well as this web site. This site is an excellent source of information.

Also here are some other good sites and info.
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart
http://www.the-coop.org/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/animals/all

 

[Anny]

You're chicken will be much happier with a friend. They are social by nature. Plus imagine life would be lonely and boring for that poor one chicken all alone. No one to talk to no one to wonder around with. It would be a pretty sad life.

I think at least two is a must.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
like I said, don't inflict human emotions onto animals..