Soon to have a Lonely Chicken...

[MrsHall28]

We live in the city and have only two hens(a little over two years old each). One of them is dying. We are going to try and have her out to sleep soon. This will leave us with a lonely hen. As of right now she appears to be perfectly healthy but I want to wait a few weeks to make sure she doesn't get too sick. Problem is we will also be out of the country soon for 14 days so I'm reluctant to get two more chickens only to have to leave right after.

Will my one chicken be ok by herself until then?? Should I just get two more chickens? If I do get two more chickens will they gang up against her? I'm so unsure about all of it...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry that you are having trouble.
May I ask what is wrong with the sick chicken?
Do you have a "diagnosis"?
Any new birds that you bring in really need to go through a quarantine period before introducing them to your lone chicken.
IMO I would wait until you have time to quarantine and observe your new chickens, then start the integration process. If you are introducing multiple birds they very well may "gang up" on your girl, so an introduction period will be necessary.



https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Bantambird]

She may get lonely without a friend, so you might set up a mirror for her. I've done that for solo chicks, so I don't see why it wouldn't work for a solo chicken.

 

[Whittni]

She should be fine for a couple weeks, just make sure she has penty of feed and water and give her lots a treats when you get home! Then fins some new buddies, maybe some older chicks.

 

[MrsHall28]

Thanks for your responses. I don't have a diagnosis yet. The only bet that will see chickens near us doesn't have an "exotic pet" spot until May 2nd. I'm not sure she'll make it that long. 3rd day of not eating and only drinking if I give water via syringe. She sleeps 34/7, doesn't eat and was popping this pure watery bright yellow poop. I did some research and it looks like it could be a lot of things. I just hate to see her starve to death. Unfortunately the May 2nd spot is also the only spot I could get to put her down too. The regular bet won't do it. I'm still going to call around though and see if there are other vets willing to take a look at her.

If she goes I probably wouldn't be able to get my lone hen any friends until Mid June. I probably should have gotten three initially just in case one passed so the others wouldn't be monkey, but our coop is kind of small. I do think I could get three in there now though and may do that. I wonder would it help or hurt if I end up with three totally different breeds? Maybe they wouldn't hang up? Or should I just stick with barred rock? I'll be taking a look at that link that was posted in the replies in just a sec too...

 

[Bantambird]

I'm sorry for your loss. Could your sick bird have an infection? Antibiotics do wonders for birds with oviduct infection.
If you can't get in to see a vet, you can get tetracycline over the counter at livestock supply stores. There are people much more eloquent than I on the forums..

 

[Bantambird]

Alright. The vet thing? I get that for sure. My own mom is a vet and I can barely get even her to look at my birds. I have had to learn a lot on my own, with some guidance from her to keep me on the right path. If you have a lot of yellow discharge, does it stink too? Like putrid? This is infection. Is it bright, like a yolk? She may have had an egg break inside her, or laid internally. Is her abdomen swollen, like an overfull water balloon? Could be peritonitis, another kind of infection. Some have good success with Baytril, and it is easier to dose. Tetracycline is dosed in the water they drink, and requires some math.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss. Could your sick bird have an infection? Antibiotics do wonders for birds with oviduct infection.
If you can't get in to see a vet, you can get tetracycline over the counter at livestock supply stores. There are people much more eloquent than I on the forums..

I'm sorry for your loss. Could your sick bird have an infection? Antibiotics do wonders for birds with oviduct infection.
If you can't get in to see a vet, you can get tetracycline over the counter at livestock supply stores. There are people much more eloquent than I on the forums.. I do agree that the antibiotics at this point will not hurt. Since you are unable to put her down and having to wait, then supportive care of antibiotics and vitamins/electrolytes may help with her suffering at this time.