Only one hen left

[Jardiniere]

I was given three hens in 2006..dont know how old they were but they were all laying. One died earlier this year then another a few weeks ago. The remaining hen has never been ill but she stopped laying eggs at the end of the summer..am assuming she is just old. Will she be Ok on her own?
Do they get lonely/cold?
She roosts in a smallish box within the 'hen house' which is a lean to and has access to all of the garden during the day currently.

[ChrisB]

Hi Jardiniere

Sorry to hear you lost two of your girls.

I'm sure others will back me up on this, but it is kinder to keep more than one chicken, they don't do well on their own. Yes they do get lonely and can get cold with nobody to cuddle up to on the perch at night

Are there any rescued battery hens available in your area (sorry don't know where you are) that you could rehome?

Whatever you get there will be an almighty punch up while they sort themselves out, but that's chicken keeping for you

I say get more chickens, but I'm biased.

[Birdie Wife]

Hi Jardiniere,
You definitely need more chickens, they are happiest in a flock, and with the winter closing in fast, they will be warmer in the coop. There is a danger that by bringing in two/three more hens, they will know each other better than they know your one hen, so she may well end up bottom of the pecking order. It's natural to be concerned and to want your hen to be top of the pack, but believe me, it's better in the long run to let the hens sort it out for themselves. Unless there is serious bullying going on, non-intervention is the way to go. You can improve her odds by choosing pure breed hens which have generally docile personalities like wyandottes or orpingtons, but if you are just wanting hybrid layers you should be okay, just keep an extra eye on them. Best of luck!

[daisychook]

Hi Jardieniere

we have a buff orpington, and she is bigger than our other five put together, but the biggest cowardly custard ever!! They are so docile, I am sure they would be fine.

They arent solitary creatures so if you could get her some housemates, that would be good. The bullying doesnt last forever, only a couple of weeks, although it will feel like forever, believe me!!!

[Jardiniere]

Thanks for all the advice....not certain about what breeds are available here in SW France having been given the last ones..but i'm told i can order them from Gamm Vert (farmers shops) and then they will be properly bred etc whereas on the markets they can give you their old/ill stuff. dont think they have ex battery hens here.
Also we are going to England for Xmas so cant get new ones till the new year anyway...next door neighbour will look after her while we are away.....just hope she doesn't pine or freeze!

[Tracey]

You could tuck her up with a hot water bottle!

[TPeers]

Might sound daft - but is there anywhere indoors for her?
Chickens don't do well on their own, but in a pinch human company is better than none. If there was a greenhouse or maybe a leanto on your house which would give a bit more weather protection for her then she would at least be warm. If you have a connected garage or a utility room you are prepared to give over to her for a while then she could have some of your companionship during the day?

While you are away you might consider moving her into a small moveable ark, if you have one, so that she can 'visit' your neighbours. It makes it easier for them to look after her and she will get more contact that way.

Just an idea.....

[Birdie Wife]

Something I've heard of with people raising chicks from an incubator (so no broody hen) is that they hang a cotton mop head a couple of inches from the floor of the coop, so the chicks have something to cuddle up under. I wonder if that might work for your one hen? How cold does it get at night with you?