Worried about chicken getting lonely?

[Meganmarsh]

Hi I'm new to this site and just wanted to ask a question about chickens getting lonely. For the past four years I've had hens, unfortunately along the way a couple have died and one turned out to be a rooster (had to give away because I live in a suburb and was getting complaints) and for a while I had just two hens. They seemed to get along well untill lately one has been shedding a lot of feathers. Last night I looked in their laying box to find it laying on it's side. We buried it but now just have one chicken. The hen is about four and I'm wondering what to do with it. Any help about why my chicken may have passed over or what to do with my remaining chicken would be much appreciated, thanks!

 

[TwoCrows]

I am so sorry about your hen. It is never easy to lose our feathered friends.

She could have passed for many reasons and the only way to truly know would to have had a necropsy done on her.

As for the remaining hen, chickens are social creatures and really do need each other. Are you considering getting some chicks from the feed store? This is an option for your lonely hen. You would need to brood them over the next couple months, but soon after you could mix all of them together. If you are considering getting adult birds, you might try chatting with others in your state thread and maybe someone nearby has a couple hens they can give to you...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you

Again, sorry about your baby. For now, give the remaining hen lots of TLC and lovin'.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about the girl you lost, it is always hard to lose a pet.
X2 what TwoCrows said about getting her a friend or two if you can, chickens are flock animals and do like company. It will take her awhile to warm up to any new birds, but she should, there is a nice thread in the Learning Center about putting chickens of various ages together https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
There is really no way to know why she passed, losing a lot of feathers usually means they are molting, and that can be really hard on them, (do double check your remaining bird to be sure there isn't a mite or lice infestation hiding) four is not really old, but especially some of the hatchery egg laying breeds do not live that long and it is not unusual for them to have health problems at that age.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

 

[GAchickennewbie]

Welcome to BYC!

As stated above, they are social creatures by nature and need others for companionship.

I had 3 and am down to one myself. Currently growing out some chicks for her.

If chicks aren't something you want to deal with, another option is getting pullets from a reputable source (should be quarantined for a month, though, if I'm not mistaken).

 

[drumstick diva]

Sometimes different types of animals become friends and that can lessen the problems of integrated new birds with older ones. Do you have rabbits or something else she might enjoy for the company. Sometimes a solitary birds decides to follow the family dog or cat around, if they are docile. I think a chicken can be content with any type of buddy.

 

[Meganmarsh]

I have a cat and two dogs, all which have been friendly with them since they were chicks. Will definitely give the hen more attention and see how it goes for the next few days, thank you

 

[Duckopolis]

Good luck with your poultry raising adventures,and I hope you find everything you need to know. Don't forget to take a look at BYC's very useful learning center (If you haven't already)! The learning center as well as the forum should answer your questions! Glad to have you here! Sorry about your loss. Try getting her a older hen and introducing them slowly. I wish you very good luck!