Hello, all fellow Texans. I am hoping you may be able to assist me! First, my location - I am in the DFW metroplex, in Denton County. Due to my backyard size and town, I had a fairly small flock. This was fine and worked, chickens were wonderful and happy, and I have worked hard to be a good chicken mom. Sadly, I am now down to one lone EE hen. Her sister, who had been with her since they hatched, passed away last week. It was very sudden and she had been very healthy. As she died in the nest box, I suspect it may have been egg binding although she had been acting wonderfully healthy that very morning. She was around 4 years old and of course this was so sad, since they are beloved pets. I am very worried about my remaining EE hen being alone. I know they do not do well on their own.
I am not sure what route to go but I wonder if it would be best to acquire a young hen to introduce to her, instead of baby chicks. I do not want to order started pullets from a hatchery because of the beak trimming. Forgive my ignorance but I am not sure where to look in my area, since I originally got my birds as chicks. I was hoping someone in my area may be able to point me in the right direction. Secondly, eventually I may need to look into rehoming due to an impending move to California where the residential area does not allow for backyard chickens, although codes could potentially change. This wouldn't be for another year though, so I'm really not sure I want to rehome my remaining hen right now, I think that getting another one would be best, she seems so sad on her own.
Let me know if I should move this post but as this is a Texas thread I am hoping someone might be in my area!