tanyajb Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 I used to have 4 ex batts but i am now down to 2, one of the remaining hens is very sick too and deteriating fast (her story is in chicken clinic) and i think she will have to be pts soon but that is going to leave me with one lonely hen (who i love dearly)my oh doesn't want to get anymore hens because they wreck his garden and he says if we get another one and one dies we will be in the same position over and over again. i don't want to have her rehomed. would she be miserable kept on her own?I'm not sure what to do. any suggestions please.xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 My understanding is that yes, she'll be pretty unhappy on her own. As a flocking animal, chickens need to be kept with others. if you got 2 more you'd avoid the same situation happening again. Which is tricky of your OH is opposed. So sorry to hear one of your remaining ex-batts is poorly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Sorry to hear that one of your girls is poorly. If the worst happens, the remaining one will probably be unhappy.......for the reasons that Ruby has mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 my sistert in Austtralia had a very happy loan bantam. but I think you have to be around them or have them with you most of the time and you become their friend, but much nicer to find a home with a friend for her, someone will be in the same position as you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 I do think they prefer being in flocks; could you persuade OH to let you get 2 more, and then confine them within omlet netting? best of both worlds!! just remind him about the lovely eggs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkymark Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Agree with above, although due to a cockerel incident, we've ended up with one lone Sussex, and she seems positively relieved! Seems perfectly happy scratching all the grass up. Will get another couple in due course though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanyajb Posted November 17, 2008 Author Share Posted November 17, 2008 Hi all thanks for your replies. sadly this evening she was put to sleep,she collapsed and was unable to get up i couldn't bear to see her suffering. so now it is just the one. the hens do have a large run so i think i will have to get one or two more and keep them confined to that. if anyone hears of any that need rehoming in the south east could they please let me know. thanks again Tanya x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Sorry to hear that tanyajb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 tanyajb, sorry to read your story. From recent personal experience, I have to say your remaining girl will become rather lonely. We used to have three chickens, but over the last 9 months two passed away (natural causes) leaving just Fifi. Our three were very sociable and loved each others company, and also being with us in the garden. They didn't even seem to mind being chased, picked up, carried about or any of the other things our small children subjected them to while playing in the garden . They were such a close knit group that we seriously worried that Fifi would, quite literally, give up and die of loneliness soon after Tulip passed away. However, while she was, clearly, very lonely, she amused herself as best she could. In the end we just had to get new hens to keep her company. Getting one was not an option for the very reason you stated, if Fifi (who's now quite old) died we would have the same problem all over again. So we got two. We did worry about how well they would all get on (see thread here), but as you'll see if you read the complete thread (and look at the pictures I posted), it was a very happy ending for all concerned. Good luck, Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
