m+mpumpkins Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Hi, Just joined in desperation to find an answer for my lonely Mavis. We lost beloved Matilda nearly 2 weeks ago and Mavis is getting more depressed by the day, showing little interest and not eating enough. Obviously the answer is company but as we're hoping to move I didn't want to disrupt hen lives! Also I'm trying to get an idea of hen life expectancy, we've had Millie RIP, Matilda RIP and Mavis for almost 2 years and they were 2 year old when we got them. Sadly as they'd never had human contact, we didn't handle them except when necessary & Mavis was always the least human-focussed hen but could really do with a hen hug right now. Oh what to do for the best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Welcome to the forum . I've started a new thread for you so you should get more views and responses. When are you planning on moving? If it's more than a few weeks away I wouldn't worry about adding a couple of new girls now. Your remaining girl sounds miserable so it would be good to get her some company as soon as you can . If you know you can have chickens at your new home, moving them won't be a huge problem. Life expectancy is hard to predict - my girls have all gone at between 2 and 3 years old but I know some can live a lot longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Welcome to the forum. I have not lost any of my 3 girls , but I know that if I was left with one it would be so sad and alone as they are such good friends. I know I would have to get at least 2 more and gently get them together..."Ooops, word censored!"ody should be alone not even chicks You also said that she has not had a lot of human contact , maybe this is the time Try being with her as much as you can , picking her up and stroking her . Good luck and let us know what you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Sorry to hear about your lonely girl. She does need hen company and, as ANH says, I wouldn't worry too much about the house move unless it is very imminent. As to life expectancy, a lot depends on the breed - is she a hybrid or pure breed? If hybrid, she is a good age already, if a pure breed you could expect her to carry on longer. If I were you, I would get a couple of POL girls to keep her company. There is very good advice about introductions in the FAQs about hens, which has always worked well for me. I hope that she will perk up when she has some new friends - good luck with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcharlie43 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I know that this doesn't help much now but I lost little Baldy recently and got 2 new girls to join the team as I did not want to get to the point of leaving just one to be reintroduced to other girls. (I have 2 other ex batts) I have made a decision that although I am not supposed to have more than 4 hens (OH stipulation on chicken madness ) I will never have below 2 hens and when i have 2 left I will go and find another 2 team mates. They seem band together in a little club when they are introduced at the same time or as I am quite new to this am I imagining it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Poor Mavis...I would definitely get her a couple of buddies as soon as possible...chickens really don't do well on their own. If you've got to move Mavis, where's the harm in moving 2 more? Good luck...keep us posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
