Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Cheaky Beaky]

Hello, I have just registered and am new to the forum.

I was just wondering if there are guys out there as soft as i am and lets my chicken live in my house .

I only have the one chicken now, she lost her little friend a few weeks ago. [The vet said she was egg bound.]

The two chickens and my two giant rabbits , have shared the same hut outside all summer. They all got on very well together.

My rabbits however have always lived in the house in the winter months as house rabbits, and the hens stayed out. So now i have only one chicken it seams so mean to firstly separate them, and secondly leave her out in the cold on her own

So i let them all out for a few hours in my secure garden during the day and they all come in quite happily at night into the kitchen where their indoor cage is. Thing is, i'm not sure it's normal to have a chicken in the kitchen? Or if it's good for her? Although i do think her behavior is getting more rabbit like than chicken. She preens and scratches a the rabbits, and sits next to them when they are sleeping, even during the day. She was even caught eating one of their carrots!!! Does any one have any advice please?

[badgerbluebadger]

I personally would not have a chicken on her own even with her rabbit friends.

 

What about getting her a few chicken friends?

 

I did however have a little giggle at the idea of a chicken starting to act lie a rabbit- how super!

[Egluntyne]

I'd get a couple more chickens as company for your existing hen. She won't be happy on her own, and needs company of her own kind.

[Cheaky Beaky]

Hi,

Thanks for that but i"am not sure about having more pets at this stage as i already have the said mentioned, plus two cats and a great dane. Oh, and two huge goldfish. Besides she is used to coming in in the warmth now?

[BeckyBoo]

If you can't get her chook friends and she's firm friends with her rabbit chums then I reckon go for it, better than being outside on her own. As long as she gets to go out and scratch about and be a chicken in the day it's really only the sleeping that she'd be doing inside. Could you not replace the one you had, I'm sure she'd be happier with another chicken friend as well as the buns

Welcome to the forum by the way

 

BeckyBoo

[chelsea]

Could you not replace the one you had, I'm sure she'd be happier with another chicken friend as well as the buns

Welcome to the forum by the way

 

BeckyBoo

 

 

I agree

 

She would come on leaps and bounds with a feathery companion, my little Ella really missed Sam when she passed away and pined for days.

[Cheaky Beaky]

Thanks everyone for the advice, You are all very kind. I will have to have a think what the best thing to do.

In a way i feel sorry for her on her own, but to be honest she hasn't really pined or any thing since she lost her friend as she has always had the bunnies too, and really seems quite happy preening and stuff, she eats well and looks very healthy. She follows the bunnies about and seams to love their company. The thing that concerns me is it's not normal for a chicken to be in the house, i worry it is too hot for her with the aga going and stuff but then chickens do live in hot country's! if the door is open to be quite honest she prefers in than out. especially if it's raining. I have a nice garden with bushes and plenty of places to scratch about, so maybe she will be ok. Comments welcome.

[chick wiggle]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Normally I would say she would be happier with other chickens too. however if as you say she is half rabbit and plays with them then maybe you know her best. im not sure about the house been too warm either. Sorry, not much help

i would love to see some pictures of her with your bunnies - how cute

[Chicken Shirl]

Hello, I live in a hot place, and my chickens like most chickens in the world do not like to be too hot. As long as your kitchen is well ventilated she should be alright. In my experience a hen will not stay where she is not comfortable. Does she come into the house at night of her own accord. Shame she can't have a feathered friend though. They do do better in a group. I also would like to see her doing her bunny impression

[sandyhas3chucks]

I have 2 still sleep in the house. (long story) they either come in on their own or wait to be let out of the run, sort of standing keep looking at their watches.

They sleep in an unheated at night room, in an Eglu, and have done for since before the snow freeze in Feb. My sister had a bantam for 2 years, on it's own after the duck it came with died. Apparently was happy as larry (lived in Australia)

[Chicken Shirl]

I have 2 still sleep in the house. (long story) they either come in on their own or wait to be let out of the run, sort of standing keep looking at their watches.

They sleep in an unheated at night room, in an Eglu, and have done for since before the snow freeze in Feb. My sister had a bantam for 2 years, on it's own after the duck it came with died. Apparently was happy as larry (lived in Australia)

 

 

 

I can just see them tapping their feet and looking at their watches. I love it. I'd love to hear the story one day. My first hen was alone also, but I wish now that I had given her some friends, when I see what fun they have together and what sociable creatures they are. She died 2 months after she hatched a chick from some eggs a friend gave me, only one was fertile.

[Tara.F]

Our bantams live in the dining room

 

We hatched chicks in June, planning to integrate them with our big girls in October. Unfortunately, six of the seven turned out to be boys and were rehomed. The remaining little pekin was too tiny to be introduced alone to four larger pterodactyls so we bought her a couple of friends.

Well, you know how it goes

By the time the pekins were all settled together we were well into November. The weather turned nasty and who wants to sit outside supervising chicken intros for hours in the pouring rain?

so we've decided to let the babies live indoors till the spring!

They go out and all free range together during the day....well, I say together but really they are two separate flocks that completely ignore each other

[sandyhas3chucks]

Isn't it nice to know "you are not alone"

I am currently watching my 1 flock Of now 8)this only seems to happen at bedtime truce)

2 oldest from last year: 4 new April: 2 youngest June , happy all together but I do NOT trust one in particular of my oldest with the disabled girl. (hense watching). but they are 2 nterchangeable ish flocks really.

Spring willl be just perfect!

[CluckyBucks]

Hello there and welcome to the forum

 

I rescued a lovely little hen and she goes into the elgu by day but asks to come in for the night, and has done every night for three years She sleeps in my room (which is never heated because thats why hot water bottles were created) and loves it.

 

I wouldnt have her any other way She does it totally by her own accord

 

xx xx

[Chicken Shirl]

Hello there and welcome to the forum

 

I rescued a lovely little hen and she goes into the elgu by day but asks to come in for the night, and has done every night for three years She sleeps in my room (which is never heated because thats why hot water bottles were created) and loves it.

 

I wouldnt have her any other way She does it totally by her own accord

 

xx xx

 

 

Awwwwwwww how sweet. Does she go up as soon as the light fades outside, or is she allowed to watch the tele until you go to bed. xx This may look as if I am taking the micky. Believe me I am not. It is a serious question. What does she do if you are out when the light goes in the garden

[Plum]

probably got a cat flap for her.

[House MD 221B]

Welcome to the forum

 

I too would recommend getting another chicken, even if just 1 to replace the one you lost, Poach spent a week on her own before we got 3 more to replace the 1 we lost, and although she seemed ok, I wouldn't have wanted her alone any longer than that.

 

There are many wise and helpful people here who have helped us many times in the short time we've been here and had chickens (6 months)

 

Personally I'd LOVE to let them in the house, but it's not a place for the chicken, and they don't exactly get toilet trained if you catch my drift, I'd have no problem with them perhaps coming in during the day but they live outside, they sleep outside and chickens are remarkably resilient, I believe I read somewhere they can live in temperatures up to -20 (could be wrong, and I hope our chickens never see that temperature)

 

That's why we have the Eglus and Runs, everyone does things in different ways, and if it works for you that's good, but at the very least strongly consider getting one more chicken, and they'll both be very happy together all snuggled up in the roost together.

[Cheaky Beaky]

Hi everyone,

I have news, Today i went out and bought two little friends for Matilda.

It was fine her coming in the house to sleep with the rabbits, but she was on her own out in the garden all day. I was starting to feel sorry for her. So i rang the farm last night and today i went to pick up a lovely Blackrock and a Buff Orpington, Put them in the hut to settle down and at dusk when Matilda was tapping on the door to come in i popped her in with them . All complete strangers to each other. So fingers crossed tomorrow the will sort them selves out and get on well together And hopefully a few eggs into the bargin.

Thanks to everyone for all your advice. You were right she does need friends. X

[Plum]

Good choice of chickens. Hope she appreciates her new friends but she may struggle at first. I'm sure you have done the right thing.

[Chicken Shirl]

Awwwwwwwwwwww that is good news. I am sure she will be much happier. Just keep popping her in with them at night, she will soon get the idea. Nice breeds, well done.

[Egluntyne]

That is good news. I'm sure she will be much happier with her own sort, even if they squabble a bit at first.

[Cheaky Beaky]

Thanks everyone.

 

All free ranging in my garden today, scratching around and looking happy, Matilda was a bit grumpy having new chickens on her patch, but soon settled down.

 

Even got an egg this morning from the new Blackrock, which was very useful as I was baking a cake and only had one egg.

 

best wishes to all you chicken lovers out there

[BeckyBoo]

Awww, happy endings!! So pleased for you and your chooks, a bit of pecking and they'll soon be best of friends. Now then, pictures please!!

 

BeckyBoo

[Chicken Shirl]

Awwww thats great Cheaky Beaky. We Want pictures!

[Cheaky Beaky]

Aw Thanks, Hope all your Chucks are happy. Will try and work out the pictures thing on photo bucket. Watch this space.