Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[wenhen]

Hi

 

In the last year we have lost 5 of our hens, including 3 younger ones we got around Easter last year. We are now left with one white leghorn and not really sure what to do. We are not 100% certain that they died of natural causes and as such aren't too keen on trying to find her a new home (incase we then infect another flock) or getting more to introduce her too (incase they all get sick and die too), plus we are not sure if we want to continue with chicken keeping just yet.

 

What do people think? Would it be cruel to keep her by herself?

 

Thanks

Becca

[House MD 221B]

In my opinion yes it would be. Chickens are social creatures and need company.

 

However your concerns are legitimate, and if you're not sure you want to continue Chicken keeping, then providing you were upfront and gave any potential buyers all the above information you posted here, they can make an informed decision to include it in their flock, at first through quarantine, checking it's health, and then introducing it slowly to their main flock once they are sure there's nothing contagious.

 

Other members will be able to give you better specifics, but so long as you gave / sold her to someone who cared about their birds and new what they were doing, they'd have the experience to ensure it didn't infect their existing flock. And would still eventually get company.

 

I hope this helps, and I wish you all the best at this difficult time, we were down to 1 at one point rushing around trying to find company, it's not an easy time. Good luck.

 

(Edit) P.S. in the mean time, make sure she has lots to peck at / do, and maybe even some mirrors to look at so she doesn't feel quite so alone. (that's what we did while we scurried around looking for new hens.)

[Redwing]

I cant see anyone wanting to take on a hen from a possibly infected flock

 

I'd consider buying her just one friend then see how it goes, wait for a decent window to be passed with no incident then rehome them as a twosome, people are far more likely to take on an established pair of chooks than one lone hen who may get picked on anyway

[chickie1]

We lost Margot today, old age I think as she was 5 and a half. We now only have one left, Speckle, who is about 4 and a half. I feel we should get 1+ more to keep her company. However, is it ok just to add one or should we have more? We have an eglu MK2 so don't think we can have that many. I don't want her to be lonely but is November a good time of year to get new chickens?