What if I only have 1 chick?

[smcjoj3]

I am brand new to the world of chickens & BYC
I am wondering....what if I only get 1 chick. I know this is not the best idea.
Here's the thing. I want to start with 3-4 girls to get a feel for what I am doing (plus we don't have tons of space) I decided I want to get 2-3 Rhode Island Reds, however they are not available for another 2 weeks. This Friday I will have the chance to pick up a California Cross White Leghorn chick and I am really interested in getting one, but honestly, I am not sure I want 2, I want the RIR's something else so I can learn about the different breeds? Also, I am concerned about the flighty-ness of the Leghorn breed, so that was another reason for only wanting 1 to start with.
But I don't want to do this potential single-chick wrong. So if this is extremely wrong, please feel free to scold me for even considering such a thing.
If this possible and not completely horribly cruel, suggestions as to how to go about keeping a single chick for a few weeks until some smaller friends join her would be greatly approved. I don't want her to freeze to death or freak out and scream or be depressed and not eat .... or whatever else could go wrong. I do stay at home, so myself and kids are able to spend the day with her, not sure if that matters.
TIA

 

[Rebel Rooster]

Little chicks love company... but there are no rules that make company mandatory! A single chick will be just fine until you can get the rest on your want list... IMO!

 

[N&MSchroeder]

As you have written, you are well aware of the problems raising one chick. Honestly, I don't think that you will be happy with this choice. Your little chick is going to scream its head off! Mine do if they are separated from the others.

Maybe someone who has had success raising one chick can comment here. I wanted to tell you that I have a leghorn in my flock. I, too, was told the leghorn horror stories but I wanted white eggs. I love my leghorn!

She is smart, she isn't overly flighty although she is a flyer, she doesn't make a point of pecking the other chickens, and she will sit on my lap, fly onto my shoulder, etc. Give the leghorns a chance and if it doesn't work out, you can probably get rid of one on Craigslist or another site. Good luck!

 

[MustLoveHens]

First off...

Now, As to your question. I can only answer from what I have experienced as a owner of a feedstore that sold chicks. They are flock creatures and need that connection to another chicken. For companionship and warmth. One chick will screem it's head off at all hours and for days. I had customers who purchased one chick at another feedstore a town over, and they would sell customers just one chick. (We sold our chicks with a minimum of 3 so incase one chick did not make it, you were not left with one lonely chick.) So anywho, these people would come in close to the time we closed that same day or first thing next morning to get more chicks since the one they had was so unhappy.

Your situation is a little different since you will be getting (day old?) chicks a couple of weeks later. However, there is a big difference in a day old chick and a two week old chick. That two week old regarless of the breed will be rather nasty to the day olds. I would not put them together to brood them out.
IMO, Your better off waiting for what you want. If you absolutely cannot wait then get 2-3 Leghorn crosses and rehome if you need to- which might be tough given the breed they are and that fact that you will have kids involved.
Honestly, I'm not a Leghorn fan and we never sold them in our feed store unless some one specifically asked for them. They are flighty, distant and dingy. They just were not good first time chicken owner chickens, nor very good family pet types.
I think your choice of the RIR is a grerat one. They are fantastic layers, super friendly chickens and make the best pets. I grew up with 3 RIR's myself. I've since branched into other breeds, but the RIR is still my favorite. As a first time chickens owner, you just can't go wrong with a RIR.

 

[OkChickens]

I have up to 2 weeks difference in my chicks in the brooder. I have sold around 15-20 dozen chicks and I will not sell just 1 or 2. I have a minimum of 3 chicks for purchase. For the reasons listed before me. I love my RIR's! Barred Rocks and Araucanas are great also! Of all the breeds I have raised Welsummers are by far my favorite as personalities and great egg layers! Congrats and also

Nate

 

[craftymama86]

My husband and I originally started out with 10 chicks and four older chickens, so I don't have much advise about buying just one chick BUT I do know that when any of the chicks get separated from the flock they chirp like crazy, freaking out. As far as breeds.. We have a RIR hen who, even though won't really let us pick her up, is a very good hen and a new, very sweet momma. Unlike our BR broody who looks like she's gonna flog us each time our hands get near her, the RIR may make some noises but she hasn't pecked at us when we get near her and I love her for that.

Buff Orpingtons are nice too. I bought one not too long ago and I think it's a roo... Once it finally got accepted by the other 2 young roos they are almost inseparable.

Anyways, sorry for the babbling, it's late, I'm tired, and I sometimes go off-subject, lol.

 

[JAHVREM]

starting out with 1 leghorn will probably not be an enjoyable experience. leghorns, or leggerns, as i call them, are aloof, not friendly, but great egglayers.

if you want a pet with a personality, we have had good luck with rhode island reds, silkies, cochins.

just don't want you to expect a pet and get one like ours, we call her Houdini, she is a leggern, and escapes every pen we put her in. she likes to freerange, sleeps in the rafters and could not care less if we are around.

 

[andalusn]

Chicks really do need company, I'd wait and spend the inbetween time learning about how to raise the chicks. Get the brooder ready along with feed, grit and water/feed containers so when you get home with those cute little ones its all set to go and your not stressing.

There is plenty of time to add another breed later. There is no hard/fast rule that all birds in your flock must start out as a peep. My favorite hens are ones I added as mature, egg laying hens.

 

[MeowCluckBark]

From what I've been observing and what I've read, it seems that there is a happy number of chicks to meet the perfect middle ground. I started with 2 and they were great fun. I've had friends start with a dozen and they seemed to calm down around the humans faster in a larger flock. Idk really. Not an expert. I do know that Marian or Jacqueline will cheep and cry for her sister if she can't find her.

 

[smcjoj3]

Everyone! Thanks so much for all the responses! It's super helpful to hear all your experiences & opinions.

MustLoveHens: great advice, really! I went to the feed store closest to our home & the people working there told me they had people buy single pullets on a whim all the time and everything was fine and dandy. To which I raised a eyebrow and headed to BYC to find out from people who would have solid honest info to give me!

Again Thank you everyone! - I believe we will hold off and just start with the RIR's. As much as I want a white egg layer & think White leghorns are beautiful hens, I do need to gain knowledge and expeience in all this before taking on challenging birds

Now i just have to calm down and wait for two weeks. *sigh*