dawnielitt Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Is it cruel to keep just one chicken? We started with four but have lost three in a year, the most recent one last night. The first last March had a tumour, the second died suddenly overnight in September for no apparent reason, and the third from peritonitis. They were all under three years. I'm not sure I'm ready to take on any more at the moment but I don't want the remaining one to suffer. Is this rate of mortality to be expected when keeping chickens? Or have I been unlucky? What is the average life span? They were all Gingernut Rangers supplied by Omlet and have been fed on Organic layers pellets, with treats of meal worms, kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s, corn etc. , wormed regularly, and generally well cared for. I've always felt they were on the thin size but I'm at a loss to know how to get them to put on more weight. During the colder weather I've been giving them porridge with sultanas which they love. I suppose I don't want to take any more on at this time because I can't help feeling that I've done something wrong. The remaining chicken looks really well but I don't want her to go downhill because she's on her own. Has anyone else had this problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 They're really flock animals and best kept together. 3 years is quite a good age, especially with hybrids. Could you get just the one more? It'll mean she has a companion, and shouldn't be too much more work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 She needs some company really. I'd go for a pure breed hen, they tend to be more robust than hybrids in my experience, and have a longer life expectancy. The downside is that they don't lay over winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dappy Chick Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 In answer to your question - No it is nothing you have done! It sounds to me that you have just been extremely unlucky. As long as your remaining hen is healthy I would agree with Egluntyne and go for a pure breed if you are happy not to have any eggs during winter! It certainly wouldn't be fair to leave her on her own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 You haven't done anything wrong they are just prone to tumours and peritonitis. I lost one with tumours and reading up about it the ginger hybrids seem to be prone. Way I looked at it is their life is short but they give so much in that time and they have a good life being loved that it is all worthwhile. Give it a bit and you'll be ready for the fun of choosing your next chickens, she needs company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 My first two both never made it to their third birthdays but they had a pampered life and that's what's important. Sounds like you did everything just right to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 I agree with whats been said above, a pure breed will live longer and as they are not designed to lay full on then they are far less prone to peritonitis (not sure if i have spelled that right but you get the gist) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Yes, for a hybrid to be three is old age. Their life span is generally 2-4 years. My Gingernut Ranger is getting very frail and will be three this year. Pure breeds are hardier and live longer....our Light Sussex only had a brief break from egg laying and only because she was moulting....I believe some of that breed lay in the winter. Our Speckled Sussex is back laying after her winter break. I prefer them to take a break...they seem so washed out otherwise... You have done well and I am sorry that you have lost your three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Just to reiterate what's been said above - if you enjoy keeping hens, and I'd guess you do, then get some more. Tumours and peritonitis are NOT down to your chicken-keeping, they're just one of those things and you've been unlucky to lose three in a relatively short space of time. Don't be put off - get some more, and enjoy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I agree with all the above. Ultimately, it isn't fair to keep one on her own, so IMO you would be better either getting others/another to keep her company or re-homing her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Of the chooks I have had over the years I have lost 4 and none has made it to 3. It's up to you of course whether you can face getting more but they do need company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawnielitt Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share Posted February 8, 2010 Thank you all for your advice and wise words. I am reassured that I did everything right and they did have a good life with us. I think I will get some companions, just trying to work out now how to sort out the practicalities of introducing new girls. I think I will probably get two as, if you are all right about their life expectancy, then my remaining girl may not be with me too much longer and I'll be back to square one. I will definitely go for pure breeds, so I need to do some research asap. Many thanks once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I'm glad you havent been put off Good luck with your choices, may I suggest the Wernlas Collection website as a source of useful info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawnielitt Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 Marmite is no longer lonely! Just got home with three new girls, a Silverlink, a Bluebell and a Blackrock. Now have the fun of choosing names and fingers crossed that the intros go well. Thanks for your input. Dawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Oh well done, congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Congratulations!! May I suggest Bovril and Horlicks as names? (can't think of a 3rd, sorry) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 That's really good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Congratulations!!May I suggest Bovril and Horlicks as names? (can't think of a 3rd, sorry) How about Ovaltine? We are the Ovalteenies - oh yes, brings it all back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Fabulous news - I'm so glad you got some new girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I'm glad you've got some new girls. Can we see some photos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawnielitt Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 Well, it's been an interesting first day for the new girls. They didn't want to come out of the cube this morning, seemed really shy, so I tried to entice them with some treats but they were having none of it. So I gave them a gentle helping hand. Lola, the Blackrock and, as yet, un-named Bluebelle were fine but Pixie the Silverlink stayed glued to the steps all morning, she wanted to hide in the cube but I had closed the door. However at lunchtime she found her courage and ventured down to join the others. I kept them in the pen all day with our other girl, Marmite pottering around the outside. She was making quite a racket. They seemed happy enough in the pen, didn't seem interested in joining her. They looked quite bewildered at all the different noises, re-acting every time a car went down the lane or a pheasant flew overhead. And I'm sure the cube seemed really alien to them after the shed they'd been used to. Anyway they managed to find their way back to bed this evening after a few false starts and I'm hoping the'll start to feel more comfortable with their new surroundings very soon. I've put a link to some photos, just hope it works as I've never done this before. Can't wait for the intros to be over and they can all live happily together. Unfortunately our old girl doesn't seem to appreciate that it's all for her benefit! http://s882.photobucket.com/albums/ac27/madcatlady/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 They are beautiful. And you have a beautiful peacock too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Lovely photos and wow! a peacock Do we get a sneaky look at your cats as well as I noticed your name on photobucket is madcatlady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GillC Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Congratulations - What a beautiful setting for keeping hens, I'm really pleased you decided get some more. I love their little bewildered faces and I'm sure they'll settle in after a couple of days. Fab peacock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawnielitt Posted February 13, 2010 Author Share Posted February 13, 2010 Thank you. Day two has gone well. Pixie, Belle and Lola came straight out of the cube this morning and have spent the afternoon enjoying the admiration of Phil, the peacock. I do hope he's not getting any funny ideas! He has stayed by the run all afternoon, probably hoping to gobble up any treats left lying around. Managed to give Pixie, the Silverlink a little cuddle this morning as I understand they haven't been handled much. They all found their way to bed first time and have settled down for the night. Unusually they are choosing to roost on the wooden bars whereas my old girls used to snuggle up in the nesting box on a comfy bed of straw. Anyway so far so good. I'm really pleased we got them even though, and I know this is a common theme on here, 'we only went for a look' and came back with three! I've added some more photos, as requested, of our cats and other pets (the link is on my previous post) As a matter of interest, how do some of you manage to add photos to your signatures? Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
