Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[popster]

Hi

 

I have only ever kept 5 - 6 chickens at a time and over the last couple of months a couple have died leaving me with 2. One of the remaining looks in bad shape and I don't think she'll last much longer.

 

What should I do about the remaining chicken? I don't think its right to leave her alone as to complicate matters I am off on holiday for 4 weeks from next month (i was hoping there would be at least two of them, there were 4 a month ago!). They were all from the same ex battery removing about 18 months ago.

 

I have been on the BHWT's site and there are no rehoming any time soon. I've logged interest with a few other places (animal rescue centres) locally and heard nothing back.

 

I am really worried about my remaining chicken, I know its sad but she is our favourite as if you can believe it she fought off a fox and won (with only one wing left!).

 

Should I go and just buy a normal chicken for company whilst we are away and then get a new lot of ex batts when I return from holiday?

 

Thank you

[zakjon-98]

Sorry about you losing your chooks

If you are sure there is no disease in your flock and your hens have died of natural causes then I would get a few more as they would have established the pecking order by the time of your hols.

[Chortle Chook]

I agree, I'd go buy a couple of normal chooks now, and let them integrate,so your little lone hen has some others for when you go away, then I'd get three more ex-bats a bit later, taking your numbers back up to 6. That is, if you don't mind double intros. You'd need to get your new couple soonish to make sure all was well before you went, but have fun choosing

[popster]

Thanks for the advice. I've got a couple of Pekins from someone in the village who didn't want them anymore. Have split the run and am hoping they will be able to live together within the next month before we go on holiday. If not I can't imagine how much we'll have to pay our chicken sitter!!

[Chortle Chook]

Good luck. I'm sure the little Pekins will fit in. They are quite a good breed at holding their own. What colour are they? Don't you just love the way they talk all day?

[popster]

They are a gorgeous lavender grey colour. They are definitely chatty and love being stroked. My old girl isn't being at all welcoming though! Considering she was badly bullied when we first got her I was hoping she might be a bit more tolerant but no such luck.

[Chortle Chook]

Oh you have struck lucky there Lavender Pekins are really beautiful. I have a neighbour who has a garden full and they are so pretty.

I know what you mean about expecting bullied birds to show a bit of charity but, as I have found out whenever I take in another rescue dog, animals are not very charitable