arowland17 Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 We have 2 old hens who haven't laid for at least a year so we didn't expect them to last even this long, but one died late yesterday/last night, so I think it must be a combination of old age and cold - I only checked on them in the morning when I poured hot water into their water to melt the ice, and give them some corn and they seemed fine, but when I went to do the same this morning discovered Buttercup at the edge of the run - it looked as if a fox had tried to get her from the run but failed thank goodness, the cover was ripped to shreds and feather had been pulled through the bars but she remained inside which is something, and meant Nugget was ok, but now I really am not sure what to do. They always went around as a pair, and Nugget just sat on the doorstep all day not really knowing what to do today - she's put herself to bed and I've shut the door tonight due to the cold and now a fox knows about her I'm sure it'll be back at night, but do you think she'll be ok on her own? Don't think we're ready to get new hens yet, and ideally only want 2 at a time, but if we get 1 other its likely little Nugget wont last much longer, then we only have 1 again...other option is to cart the whole eglu over to my mum's garden where they have 6 hens, so I was thinking she might be happier in her run at least able to see other hens... would be grateful for advice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggquisite Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Really sorry to hear of your loss... We're certainly no experts but perhaps getting a couple more hens to give Nugget a little more company might be an idea.. No really sure what to advise for the best, I'm sure someone a little more knowledgeable will be along with some more advice soon Hugs to you & Nugget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 So sorry to hear about Buttercup, and poor little Nugget wondering what to do. All I can say is we have three hens and it isn't really much work to look after them compared to two. Maybe a couple of youngsters would help Nugget stay happy in her old age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I'd say get two more, or go for the option of letting her mingle with the hens at your mother's. Either way......she needs company. Sorry to hear about Buttercup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 So sorry to hear of your loss. I think Nugget will be better off at your Mum's as you say as they are flock animals and unhappy alone. I'd be worried about her in this cold weather without someone to cuddle up to, too. Have you thought of getting another two? Others with a similar problem have done this and the integration seems to have been relatively easy. Three are no more trouble than two and you won't be left with this problem of a single hen again. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Really sorry to hear about your girl Whatever you choose to do, Nugget would be happier in the company of other hens. skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Im so sorry about your loss but agree with all the above, she really needs company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 sorry to hear about Buttercup x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Sad news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 So sorry to hear about Buttercup I'm sure Nugget would like some company - she'd probably love to be the all-knowing boss of a couple of little ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Sorry about Buttercup I agree with what everybody else is saying, she would be much happier amongst some other chooks, and plus it will take her mind off missing Buttercup. All the best xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted December 20, 2009 Author Share Posted December 20, 2009 Thanks everyone, yes after seeing her this morning looking quite lost on her own I'm borrowing a large car in a couple of days and carted her complete with eglu and run over to my mum's! She has 5 so I was hoping that if Nugget is in her own run and can see the others around her, then after they've got used to her she can free range with the rest of them. Will miss having them in the garden, but I wanted to get a couple of ex-battery hens and so need to wait for them, and don't want nugget on her own for over a month probably. I have the standard run...would 3 ex-batts be ok in that? I let them free range morning and evening and all weekend... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 So sorry to hear about Buttercup , I hope Nugget settles in OK at your mum's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 well I've not been able to move the eglu over to mums yet, as the mesh is all dug into the frozen ground and I can't get it out! But Nugget seems really lonely and spends the days pacing looking for buttercup, so my mum brought one of her hens over last night to keep Nugget company as she's the loner of my mum's flock and she thought she might be happier without 5 other hens ganging up on her. I was a bit worried about this, as now we know a fox knows about our hens, I don't feel I can let them free-range while I'm not here during the day, but I'm quite worried about them being confined to the run all day! I put them in together last night in the eglu and it was dark so I don't think they knew what was happening, all was silent, I let them out first thing and Nugget raced out, little Plucky eventually came out, only to be pecked and she ran back inside. I decided to put a bit of corn in the eglu for Plucky as she just stood there watching Nugget from the door of the run, and then Nugget went in to help her eat it, and there was no pecking or squwarking when they were in the eglu together. So Nugget is now pacing the run and crowing while Plucky stays in the eglu out of her way - do you think it might be worth using bamboo to seperate them so plucky can come out during the day? or should I just leave them to it and hope she comes out eventually... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
