have any of you got just one hen, or have experience of having a 'solo' hen?

[angelat]

hi, as you are all probably aware I had to have my hen put to sleep today due to canker. I now have Miranda my 6 year old hen who is solo, I am not in a position to get more hens, I do have an offer of a home from a lovely lady who rescues chickens if Miranda doesn't settle on her own. any ideas or advice from anybody who has/had a solo hen would be much appreciated. x

[Two_Sheds]

I would say "they're flock animals, they need the company of others", but as a parrot-owner (just the one Congo Grey) I can confidently say that she does have a flock: me, Mr TS and the two dogs.

So maybe, if you give Miranda a LOT of attention, she won't be lonely

[Glutton4...]

No, sorry, 22 of the little time-wasters here! As TS says, with plenty of attention, she may be fine, especially as she's used to you and her home. If you don't want to get another, I'd suggest borrowing one from the lady that has offered her a home, so she has a chance to bond for a week or two, before handing her over. That way she will feel less of a victim, but it may still be stressful for her. Hope she's ok.


The above statement is my own opinion, and not necessarily that of 'The Management'

[angelat]

Thank you for your replies it's so
Nice to hear that miranda may be ok
On her own. She seems very comfy
When I checked on her and locked
Her away tonight, she was all stretched
Out in the bed area! She never got
A chance with jenny before, she's
Going to get cooked breakfast tomorrow
As well....
Roast....grapes....sweetcorn..miranda
Get ready to be pampered! X

[Scarlet]

Chickens are flock animals and are best kept in groups but if you have the time to spend with her and if it was me, I think I would leave her on her own. I saw the pics you put up, she has a lovely little garden to explore, time will tell if she is unhappy. I wouldn't change anything yet.

[Jardiniere]

Twice I have ended up with just one hen, started with three each time. The first time my last hen seemed fine for a while altho she virtually stopped laying but eventually she just died ....i was never certain how old she was because i had been given them by a neighbour.
So the second time it happened we kept the last hen (she was very feisty) for a while (and she kept laying but erratically) but then when we were due to be away from home for a couple of weeks rather than leave her absolutely all on her own (with someone just feeding her once a day) we decided to give her to friends who had a largish flock and some ducks. She seemed to settle in well and lived for another year.
I dont think they like being on their own.

[lettucegrow!]

My friend has a lone hen after loosing her friends to illnesses and although she was unhappy at first she's now laying and mooched about her garden quite happily. I have to say she has worked at it and her and her partner were happy to go out and be with her quite a lot.
It can be gone .