GeorgieB Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 We are down to 2 ex-bats and one is probably going to have to be put to sleep soon. I don't want to lose my last remaining hen but don't want to keep her if she's going to be unhappy on her own. I could really do with people's opinions on this. My fella has said we can't get anymore as he wants his garden back I think the chances of us finding someone though, not too far away who has just one hen and wants to give a home to one is very slim. Ours are also used to free ranging all day and I wouldn't want her to go somewhere where she was confined to a run. I would really appreciate any advice/opinions. Thanks, Georgie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Well you obviously enjoyed having them so how about sectioning off a part of the garden and then OH can have his bit back. She'll get used to a restricted area and she can have another couple of friends. Think it will be difficult finding a free range home now, there is such a risk of fox attacks, good luck. Are there any children's farms near you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted May 24, 2011 Author Share Posted May 24, 2011 Hi Plum, Thanks for your suggestions. My fella says it's not just about the garden but he's not willing to section off part of it. We have a rescue centre nearby that has hens but if she goes there she'll have to fend off about 20 others. I'll just have to see how she goes on her own and hope she'll be ok. Has anyone on here kept just one hen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 (edited) She might be okay on her own if she gets to free range all day, so she won't get bored. We have one duck and we were worried when we got to the last one but she free ranges on a smallholding and thinks she is one of the dogs! I know it's not advisable but you could try it, especially if you have difficulty rehoming her. Edit: to say she has been an alone duck for several years, she's an old girl but doesn't act like it. Edited May 26, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrambledhead Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 If it helps your decide, when we moved house last year we had to stop our girls free ranging due to foxes, to be honest they didn't even seem to notice, they have a nice run and plenty to do, so maybe find your girl a new home in a run with a few new friends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum-2-olly Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 haha my hubby is fab but if i were you id get another hen or 2 and say they just arrived!!!! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 or get another hubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billathome65 Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 (edited) Marriage is about give and take, compromise and joint decisions. Remind him of that and let him know how much your chucks mean to you I am sure he will compromise on space. Bill Edited May 24, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 haha my hubby is fab but if i were you id get another hen or 2 and say they just arrived!!!! lol Thats what i did , just came home with 2 beautiful silkies the other week, told OH the breeder was going to cull them! He didnt believe a word of it but laughed about it anyway! Funnily enough some omlet netting "arrived" yesterday, he took that really well too! I think you need to remember that he's the head , but your the neck, and the head moves whatever way the neck chooses! All aside i hope you find a solution(or possibly a new bloke?!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Tea Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 I was in the same position when one of my ex-batts died. I kept her on her own for about 8 months before I got another chicken (not an ex-batt) and she did seem quite happy - she was certainly a lot friendlier than before. I only got another because I wanted one and when I did the breeder told me that she shouldn't have been on her own for so long but honestly I don't think she minded much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Are you really OK to give up keeping chooks? As Bill says, marriage is about give and take. Does your OH not have any hobbies himself that you can bargain with? Alternatively, take a look at the thread on 'Who said chickens and gardens don't mix' and suggest he helps with a garden re-design while you go get some fluffy footed chooks to go with your old lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum-2-olly Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 haha my hubby is fab but if i were you id get another hen or 2 and say they just arrived!!!! lol Thats what i did , just came home with 2 beautiful silkies the other week, told OH the breeder was going to cull them! He didnt believe a word of it but laughed about it anyway! Funnily enough some omlet netting "arrived" yesterday, he took that really well too! I think you need to remember that he's the head , but your the neck, and the head moves whatever way the neck chooses! All aside i hope you find a solution(or possibly a new bloke?!) haha i once did it with a guinea pig, we had 2 at the time and plenty of space, one day my hubby came home and he didnt notice for like a day and a half that there was another baby in there! even when he did see it he thought it was dead cute and let me off!! gotta love him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted May 24, 2011 Author Share Posted May 24, 2011 haha my hubby is fab but if i were you id get another hen or 2 and say they just arrived!!!! lol Lol I have already thought about doing that but he would just make me give them all up. He keeps pointing out that if we carry on keeping hens here we won't be able to sell the house easily, which we were hoping to do next year and we need the time between then to get the garden looking nice blah blah. I also have to work away a lot during the winter and he says he doesn't have time to look after hens as well as himself. He also pointed out that every time we go away (which he wants to do more of) I annoy him by saying "hope the hens are ok" etc etc and ringing to check with the neighbour (who now says she doesn't want to look after them anymore as one fell ill and she had to take it to the vet. I've told him about the comments referring to getting another bloke... he just gave me a look and said "how many of their hubbies would work their butts off in order to give their woman a small holding so she can have lots and lots of hens..." I won't count my chickens as they say I think you need to remember that he's the head , but your the neck, and the head moves whatever way the neck chooses! That had me crying with laughter. Thanks, I'm definitely gonna remember that one Thanks for all the comments everyone, I really appreciate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 My ED's friend has a bantam who is about 10 years old. She lives quite happily on her own in their garden - she does have free range of it though, but it is a small garden. I've never met her, but she sounds quite a character. I would talk it over with your hubby. As others have said, marriage is give and take. It's a bit unfair if he is asking you to get rid of the one you have left. You may only have her for another year. Maybe make an agreement that once she goes, you don't get any more? Didn't he really like the idea of you getting them in the first place? My hubby soon warmed to the idea of chickens when I said the choice was a dog or chicens, and as he never wants a dog, well not where we currently live, the choice was easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Personally I don't think it's fair to keep one lone hen. They're flock animals so need to be with others like themselves. They may not act distressed when alone, but in fairness, they often conceal illness too. If there's no way you can section off part of the garden and get more, then it may well be worth donating her to somewhere where she can be introduced gently to a new flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share Posted May 28, 2011 Just wanted to let people know that Stevie had to be put to sleep today, which has now left Pokey on her own The good news though is that after seeing me so upset, my fella has finally given in and agreed to let me get 2 more I'm so pleased that I don't have to give up my last hen and she gets company too! She's already been making a noise (what sounds like a cry for Stevie) so the sooner I can get a couple the better. If anyone knows of anyone who has 1 or 2 ex-batts that need a home (free range) please let me know. I'm willing to travel. Thanks again for all the comments. I think the ones referring to me finding a new bloke must have helped in my fella's decision too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 So sorry you lost stevie today . At least oh has agreed to getting more hens, thats great news! Hope you find some ex batts to give a wonderful new home. I think your oh deserves a bit of tlc for being so understanding, they put up with alot from us i think!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share Posted May 28, 2011 Thanks Poppy. I read your message out to him and surprisingly he said he agrees I think he's going to make the most out of this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Sorry to hear about Stevie but well done to your fella for being kind hearted after all What will you do about the garden? Will you fence off part? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 Thanks for your message cheaky chook. I will have to fence off a section for them eventually but I will put it off as long as possible as it's nice to be able to give them all that space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I'm sorry about Stevie but please for you that you will be getting more. Keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I'm sorry about Stevie but pleased for you that you will be getting more. Keep us updated. Yes, do let's see pix of the Newbies when they come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 I just posted my good news here - http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78345&p=1094152#p1094152 Will definitely post some photos. Thanks again to everyone for their messages. I'm sure these helped push my fella in the right direction Georgie xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
