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

[daisyisarobot]

Hello, our darling Gabrielle passed away last night . We're down to three ex bats (originally we had 6) with two passing away within a couple months of each other.

 

We have already decided not to get more chooks straight away. We're hopefully buying a house next year & once we're settled we'll have a run purpose built and then get more ex bats. They are such great characters!

 

I'm a bit worried about what to do when we're left with one. What do you all do when you have one chook left? Rehome or leave them solo? I feel terrible making this plan but I think it's sensible. One of the three is getting rather slow but the other two are much larger & came out of factory life in better shape than the rest.

[gavclojak]

So very sorry you have lost your girl, she was very lucky to have found you. I also wanted to give you a for considering taking on some more ex-commercial ladies, they deserve a happy and contented retirement.

 

I will keep a close eye on this thread as you have exactly the same worries I do. What to do when you have only one hen? You are a really good hen mum to be thinking about this issue before hand and preempt any problems.

 

Well done you!!

[Redwing]

I guess it depends on whether you plan to move with chickens

 

If you plan to take a break from chickens I would rehome when you get down to two, they will be easier to integrate as a pair and also have a chance of being productive for longer

 

If you wait till you are down to one you have a single and chances are unproductive bird and that is not a tempting prospect for a new owner!

 

If you got down to one and would be happy to move house with the chicken then I would think it fairer to add two more before the move - moving three isnt any different to moving one after all

[daisyisarobot]

Thanks for the advice. More sad news today. We took the poorly chook to the vets this morning and she has passed away. Now we are left with two .

 

I’d happily move with the two we have but as we won’t be moving until the end of next year and looking at recent developments, I think it’s unlikely they will last another full year. I hate the thought of rehoming them, it feels like I’m just giving them away because I’m bored of them and that isn’t the case at all! If anything seeing them pass away has really hit me hard and I don’t think I can cope with too many more loses.

 

I’ll start asking around my chicken-y friends today and see if they will take our two.

 

Maybe chicken keeping isn’t for me at all. This is all too sad.

[gavclojak]

Ah bless you, it is sad but think of the life you have given them, their little life counted however short it was.

 

If you do want hens in the future and can't face the early loss that occasionally comes with ex-commercial hens then maybe try 'posh birds' but don't give up, you have done well by your girls and they are the lucky ones.

Chin up XX

[mullethunter]

Ditto

[redsunset]

Always horrible to see our little pets pass far to soon, but what a life they had first! They would never have had that bit without kind hearted people giving them that chance.....,so to you.

[daisyisarobot]

Thanks everyone. I've been an emotional wreck all day

 

I'm not ready (perhaps selfishly) to give the remaining two up at the moment. Planning to keep them for at least a month & see how I feel.

[gavclojak]

I think that's a very wise decision.

Take some time and see how you feel. Unfortunately it's the worst part of having pets, but the joy they give outweighs the negatives in my humble opinion X

[Purplemaniacs]

I agree don't rush into a decision take time to reflect. Last autumn I nearly came to a decision that I would have bitterly regretted. So take some time and see how you feel then.

 

Chrissie

[gavclojak]

I agree don't rush into a decision take time to reflect. Last autumn I nearly came to a decision that I would have bitterly regretted. So take some time and see how you feel then.]

 

Gosh I remember that Chrissie, was it really that long ago?

[daisyisarobot]

Thanks everyone. Let the two girls out this morning and they are as feisty as ever!

 

They will get extra corn tonight!

[mullethunter]

That's the great thing about pets - they always seem able to make you smile and without even realising they help you get over the tough bits of life

[PixieDust]

Sorry to hear you have lost a beautiful girl.

[daisyisarobot]

Thanks for all the kind words.

 

We have made the decision to rehome them with our chicken-y friend. He has room and a few ex bats so they should fit in nicely.

 

Very sad it has come to an end (for the time being!) but I keep focusing on having lie ins and no rats. They are my silver linings at least.

 

I'll be listing my Cube on the Marketplace in October

[Purplemaniacs]

Sorry to hear that you have decided to re home your chooks. It sounds like they will have a good life in their new set-up.

 

Hopefully in the future you will be able to have more chickens.

 

Chrissie