Solo Chicken?

[adawg23]

I'm completely new to raising chicken.

A friend of mine has a flock of about 15 hens and was having issues with 1 of them bullying the others, being somewhat unfriendly, and eating everyones's eggs apparently. He separated her from the rest of the flock and I decided to 'save' her.

I've gotten her situated at my place now with a decent little coop and a 10' x 13' run for her to run around in during the day. Since having her at my place she only ate 1 egg, and that was the first day she was here. She seems to be doing good, constantly foraging around the run for bugs and chicken treats I occasionally throw in for her and overall seemingly friendly.

I have read that chickens are very social and separating one from a flock is cruel. I don't want to be cruel.

I have no problem getting another chicken, but I'm concerned that the one I saved might be a little different, and bringing another one in may put her back into her previous behaviors. I guess my question is should I wait this out a while before bringing another chicken in? Do some chickens just want to be on their own?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens are flock animals and do best with a few flock mates. Chickens generally start egg eating because of a protein deficiency, or from being crowded or bored. Make sure to feed a higher protein ration, and to give her plenty of room.

I personally would get some chicks and raise them where she can see and hopefully you can integrate them eventually.

If she doesn't seem stressed, and you don't wish to expand your flock and responsibility than being by herself can be okay as long as you provide her company, and time.

She may or may not continue with her bad habits depending on why they started in the first place.

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

I'm completely new to raising chicken.

A friend of mine has a flock of about 15 hens and was having issues with 1 of them bullying the others, being somewhat unfriendly, and eating everyones's eggs apparently. He separated her from the rest of the flock and I decided to 'save' her.

That was very compassionate of you.

I would start by addressing the causes of the behaviors. Make sure she's on a balanced layer feed and getting plenty of calcium. Consider putting some plastic eggs in her coop so she isn't rewarded when she tries to eat them. If she continues to eat eggs, it may just be something she will always do.

I have read that chickens are very social and separating one from a flock is cruel. I don't want to be cruel.

Chickens do need a "flock." But they're adaptive. If you have the time to spend with her, you may be able to be her flock. You may just need to give it time and see how it goes. Watch for depression symptoms (laying or standing around; inactivity; staying in the coop; weight loss). Pacing can be a sign of boredom or it can be a sign of loneliness if she's pacing to get to you.

I have no problem getting another chicken, but I'm concerned that the one I saved might be a little different, and bringing another one in may put her back into her previous behaviors.

If you get more hens, I would recommend adding 2. This should help balance the pecking order if she is a bully or a dominate hen. Adequate space, plenty of food/water, and hiding places will also often cure a bully.

 

[adawg23]

thanks to both of you. It sounds like monitoring and looking for signs of stress or loneliness is an acceptable way forward, so I think I'll do just that. We have been, and continue to plan on spending a decent amount of time with her so maybe that will be enough. Time will tell I guess....thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

thanks to both of you. It sounds like monitoring and looking for signs of stress or loneliness is an acceptable way forward, so I think I'll do just that. We have been, and continue to plan on spending a decent amount of time with her so maybe that will be enough. Time will tell I guess....thanks!

When I was a kid our chicken flock got down to one Rhode Island red hen. She did okay by herself and laid eggs for a few years. So don't feel too bad if you don't want anymore chickens right now. Some chickens get pretty tame and attached to their humans.