hammy72 Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Sadly this evening I have had to say goodbye to my original hen Snowflake who was 5 1/2 years old. After a bout of illness a month ago I treated her and then she enjoyed her final month at our new home and garden but started to go downhill again yesterday. So I am now left with a lone hen who is 2 years old and wanted to know how long I can leave her before deciding what to do about companions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 It's impossible to say really as it depends on the individual. Some hens will be happy on their own forever but I think this is the exception rather than the rule. I would think she'll be fine for a few days or weeks while you decide what to do, but just keep an eye on her for behavioural changes that might suggest she's unhappy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 thank you - I will do and I will make a decision on what to do for her soon, just feeling a bit sad tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 I bt you are. Sorry about Snowflake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Pretty unusual for a solitary hen to cope with it. When our neighbour lost all his except one to a fox the survivor went downhill over two weeks to the point that she was in a 'trance' and stopped eating. He rushed out and bought two companions and she was back to normal in a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share Posted August 23, 2016 thanks Beantree - yes I am keeping a close eye on her but need to decide whether to get another two or find her a new home, and if I get another two how to manage the introductions as I don't have two coops but I could split the run in some way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 When my mum was left with a single hen she just put 4 POL in with her straight away and it was fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Our neighbour did the same as Mullethunter's mum. The two POLs went straight from the boot of his car into the run with no need for introductions as the older hen in her own territory immediately became top hen and knocked the two youngsters into shape. These were all immunised hybrids, something that needs to be considered. Strictly speaking they should have been quarantined for two weeks, but as the lone hen was going to die soon anyway there was no real risk to her health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 I have to say my old girl who died last week was twice on her own - for several weeks. She seemed to cope. not ideal. But i suppose depends on the hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted September 9, 2016 Author Share Posted September 9, 2016 Just to update - it's been 3 weeks and she is fine! Eating, drinking, preening, dustbathing and no pacing around or vocalising. Maybe it's cos me and the dogs are out in the garden a lot so she has company. I'm not going to rush to add more hens at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 God to hear. Perhaps as you say she just feels part of your flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 The chicken I adopted last year, I think would have been better left On her own. Despite very careful intros along with another 2 pols, she is still a lone chicken. She did pal up for a short time with my other skyline, but more often than not she is by herself (with another 10 chickens just around her)....she is aloof. She spent 3 months by herself and I think got used to being a solitary chicken. She is normally last to come in from free ranging, I just think she doesn't enjoy the others company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted December 20, 2016 Author Share Posted December 20, 2016 Just to update, she had 4 months on her own and seemed happy, pottering around the garden and sitting in plant pots but in the last few days became very unwell, which the vet thinks might have been a tumour in her stomach, so we said goodbye to Rosie Hen last night and she's off to the big chicken coop in the sky to join her pal Snowflake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Aw sad update RIP little one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 That's very sad, I'm so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Very sad, but she obviously enjoyed her last few months by herself. Sweet dreams little one x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted December 28, 2016 Author Share Posted December 28, 2016 Thank you, I do feel sad every time I look out at the empty run. They were lovely ladies! Can't believe they've both gone this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...