Unsecure chicken perches

[peterajs]

Hello, there

 

New to this whole thing but i have a problem.

 

My mother went on holiday a few days ago, so i was left to look after the chickens.. i got up on the morning after they went to let them out, and unfortunalty One of them was dead as i opened the Hut.

 

Its very sad, and im not sure what i should do, weather to tell her or not.

 

The main problem is, we had two, which is now one. How is this other one going to cope?.. we have had them both for about 3 years and now ones gone, She seems fine at the moment But will things get worse? is there a possibility this one will die too?

 

Is there any singns i should be looking out for to show that shes stressed or sad?

 

Any help appreciated

 

Thanks, Peter

[surfer_chicken]

So sorry to hear this I hope you're feeling okay, that's a horrible situation to be in.

 

How long is she on holiday? I can see how you wouldn't want to ring her up with the news as it could ruin her break, but personally, if it was me I'd want to know. She might also want to input on how to dispose of the chicken and what to do next. Plus it'd be a horrible shock to get home to, but it's your decision.

 

The remaining hen shouldn't really be left by herself. She will start to get lonely and depressed. She'll stop doing her normal chickeny things and just sit around all day moping. The longest we have left a lone hen was one week, and by the end of it she looked very sad. She shouldn't get ill or die though, unless the other hen died of something contagious.

 

Realistically you need to either re-home the last chicken or get her some new friends as soon as possible, which is why I think you might have to ring your mother, as I'm sure she'll want to make that decision.

 

In the meantime, if you can give the lonely hen as much attention as possible it might distract her a bit.

[Leicester_H]

Oh dear - sorry to hear that.

 

From experience and what I've read, it really does depend on the chicken. When I was in exactly the same situation, my one remaining chicken got very down (wouldn't come out of eglu) after a few days. Others have reported OK for a few weeks.

 

Assuming your mother is only going to be away for a week or so more,I'd advise giving her LOTS of attention and hope she's OK for your mother to make the decision on her return.

 

Where abouts are you ? Maybe there is a local Omleteer who can pop round ??

 

Good Luck to you both, H

[peterajs]

Thanks for the replys,

 

she will be back in just over week.. i dont think i can make the decision on what to do with the remaining one

but i dont want to ruin the mothers holiday..

 

I will give the other chicken alot of attention for the remaining time, ive been giving her alot of treats like tomatoes etc..

 

would anyone have a suggestion to maybe keep the chicken at bay like different treats or anything just untill my parents get back?

 

Thanks, Peter

[Leicester_H]

Hi

 

Don't give her TOO many treats - it won't do her any good.

Can you spend time near her - so she can see you ?

 

I give mine small piece of raw swede (slice approx 5 cm diameter, 1 cm thick) - its hard to peck and so occupies them for quite a long time.

Or a 1/4 of a raw (could be thawed out frozen piece ) corn cob - again lots of pecking to keep her occupied.

 

H

[Tweety]

You could try putting a mirror in the run - I have read somewhere that this is a good distraction for a lone hen.

[Leicester_H]

You could try putting a mirror in the run - I have read somewhere that this is a good distraction for a lone hen.

Worth a try BUT mine were scared and hid !

H

[peterajs]

Thanks so much for all the replys, i will try a few of these treats..hopefully she will be ok by the time my mother gets home

 

Thanks, Peter

[peterajs]

Just an update, the other chicken seems to be fine at the moment, shes still eating and drinking shes also layed a few eggs since the incident so im guessing thats a good sign.

 

She still goes into the eglu before dark and is always raring to get out in the morning.

 

So far its all going well.

 

Peter.

[Leicester_H]

Glad to hear this - keep up the good work.

Mine go to bed early (way before it gets dark) - don't know why.

H