Mrs

[DollyG]

I sadly lost two chickens in the last two weeks, one from bumble foot and the other from her having an accident. I am now left with one very lonely elderly Silkie. She is 8+ years old. I am looking for advice as to whether I should keep her as she is or whether to try rehoming another elderly chicken as company for her, given that there can be problems introducing new hens. Help!

[mimi5]

How does she seem?? I know the advice is they are a flock animal and don't do well alone, but as she elderly maybe see how you go?? Or though silkies are very gentle aren't they?? Maybe you add another silkie or a couple?

 

Hopefully somebody more experienced will have more advice!

[suebee]

If you brought in just one hen, as company for her, I wouldn't think introductions would be as bad as when adding to a flock. Perhaps it depends on whether or not you intend to continue keeping hens. You could add one Silkie, as mimi says, and then after they've settled, add a couple more.

 

If you intend to wind down your chicken keeping career though, you could either see how she gets on alone, or add one more with a view to rehoming the two of them later, which would be easier than trying to rehome one.

 

Let us know how she gets on, and what you decide to do.

[DollyG]

Thank you for your help. I couldn't bear to part with her. I am running down chicken keeping as circumstances have changed and I am away from home more. I hate the thought of not having chickens. I have been feelers out for another chicken and will post how I get on.

[Chortle Chook]

Do say what happens DollyG. I'd have thought you could add another little silkie with no problems but whether you could find another old one I'm not sure and even if you did when she or your current one goes off to the feathered nest in the sky would that not leave you back at square 1 with one lonely old gal? Depending on whether you have decided to cut right back and eventually have no chickens at all, or whether you are just cutting back, I'd be tempted to go for 2 young silkies so then you'd have a pair of pets when your current oldie goes.