Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Aileen1963]

Yesterday the 3rd of my 4 chickens passed away in her sleep with no signs of illness - just old age. However, this means I have only 1 chicken left. She is about 3 years old. I'm worried about how she'll cope living on her own, but also think she wouldn't like it if I got new chickens to live with her. Can anyone give me some advice about whether I should get more chickens or not please?

[Olly]

The general view is that chickens are 'flock' animals, and are much happier in company. You do have to be careful about introducing new hens slowly, there is lots of advice in the About Chickens section of the forum - but it's perfectly possible and if you want to go on keeping chickens then I would recommend you get some more hens - now is an ideal time of year.

[Aileen1963]

Thanks for your reply Olly. I'll have a look at the section of the website that you directed me to.

[merlina]

I was in exactly the same position a few weeks ago.

I got 3 new hens.

Introductions went far easier than I imagined or expected - I popped the newbies in the run overnight and they slept 'downstairs' as it was almost dark when we got back.

The next day I let them out together just to see and they were fine!

Very little squabbling and now they're all running round together like they have been best friends for ages.

I was completely prepared to remove them to a separate temporary home while they got used to each other, but it didn't seem necessary (I did keep a very close eye on them)

I think Edna is very happy to have new friends

[C&T]

We had same experience as Merlina.

 

My one 4yr chook was suddenly alone, and we got a a couple of new POL friends for her. Intro's were remarkably easy - just as Merlina we popped them in the coop at night when the old chook was settled, and in the morning they were fine. A few pecks here and there to show who was boss - but it was all front.

 

Make sure you have a couple of food stations and water stations, so the old chook can't guard them both - and go for it! I think our old chook was grateful for the new company instead of being by herself. By the 2nd night they were all snuggled up together on the roosting bars keeping warm!

[Aileen1963]

Thanks so much to both of you for sharing your experience, I've just got home from work and Skye has been following me about the garden - she definitely seems lonely. I'm going to take your advice and get her some new friends ASAP.

[catriona]

I'm in the same boat at the moment. We got two newbies last week who have been living in a separate run to our older chicken. We started letting them free-range together (supervised) yesterday. There have been a couple of hard pecks from the older one but I'm trying to keep my distance and not interfere. I'm a bit nervous about popping them in the coop at night together in case the old one corners them!