One chicken left :(

  • 16 Replies
  • 6400 Views
*

Maybelle

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Redditch, Worcestershire
  • 25
  • 4 Hens, Dog, Cat, Tortoise, Fishies, 2 Teenagers!
    • www.pecostudios.com
One chicken left :(
« on: March 27, 2012, 14:25 »
Hi All.  Well, having lost one of our old girls last night, we are now down to one lone chicken.  She seems fine, though follows us around the garden constantly. The dilemma is what to do... Hubby doesn't really want to get any more - though we've enjoyed our three girls very much over the three years we've had them, he does the majority of the work, and so decision should really rest with him.  She is lovely and healthy, still laying etc.,.   What should we do?  Will she be ok on her own?  Could she go to another chicken keeper or would she get bullied?   Help!  :(

*

helens-hens

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Location: Cardiff
  • 565
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2012, 14:33 »
Sorry to hear about your hen dying last night  :(. Hens are generally better with some company as they are flock animals though I know one keeper on this form (I think it is Nerdle - sorry if I have that wrong Nerdle!) has just 1 hen and her hen seems to manage just fine.

If you could find a home for your hen then she would have to go through the pecking order process but that doesn't last for ever.

Depending on what type she is, she could go on for years..... Are you sure you don't want another one!
Helen

*

Maybelle

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Redditch, Worcestershire
  • 25
  • 4 Hens, Dog, Cat, Tortoise, Fishies, 2 Teenagers!
    • www.pecostudios.com
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2012, 14:54 »
Hi Helens-Hens and thanks for coming back to me so quickly.  It's sooo sad cus she is gorgeous and I hate to think of her being lonely, or attacked if we send her to another keeper.  You also have the awful situation of fighting if we were to get a couple of new girls. Hubby has said if we have any more they wont be allowed to roam loose on the garden cus of the mess they make - wrecked countless lawnmower blades with flicked stones!, so not sure what to do - I guess its a dilemma that all chicken keepers have at some point.    :unsure:

*

Maybelle

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Redditch, Worcestershire
  • 25
  • 4 Hens, Dog, Cat, Tortoise, Fishies, 2 Teenagers!
    • www.pecostudios.com
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2012, 14:58 »
Here's a photo of the girls.  Maggie, our remaining girl, is in the middle x
NewGirls 150309.JPG

*

helens-hens

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Location: Cardiff
  • 565
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2012, 15:37 »
Maggie looks lovely! Could you confine the hens to a smaller part of the garden - I guess it depends on your henhouse / run set up.

Omlet have come out with a new chicken netting product that is movable  (I am looking into this) or may be electric fencing. I know what you mean about the lawn - our girls have done their best to wreck our lawn this last winter.

http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken+Keeping&sub=Runs+and+Netting&product_id=9359&product_name=Omlet+Chicken+Netting+-+21+metres+-+Inc.+Gate+and+Double+Spike+Poles

I have also heard that some hens (I think ones with feathered feet) are less keen to scratch then others. This can lead to other problems i.e. keeping them clean and also being extra careful of mites, but it may be an option.

*

Maybelle

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Redditch, Worcestershire
  • 25
  • 4 Hens, Dog, Cat, Tortoise, Fishies, 2 Teenagers!
    • www.pecostudios.com
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2012, 15:46 »
thanks for the info Helen - we have an Eglu already, so this may be worth looking at.  The Eglu is brilliant, by the way.  Will see how things go over the next few days with Maggie, and try and butter up the old man! x

*

kegs

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Location: Bedfordshire
  • 988
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2012, 16:24 »

I have also heard that some hens (I think ones with feathered feet) are less keen to scratch then others. This can lead to other problems i.e. keeping them clean and also being extra careful of mites, but it may be an option.

I've got 4 hybrids in the back garden who have totally relieved me of any grass at all.  In the front garden we've got Faverolles who have feathered feet (but they aren't heavily feathered) and they really do cause very little damage to the flower beds.  Gorgeous birds too.

*

ANHBUC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: North East England
  • 8045
  • "You looking at me?!!!"
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2012, 16:31 »
 :(  So sorry you have lost one of your hens Maybelle. 

Hopefully Maggie will adjust to being on her own.  I do think it is Nerdle who has just one hen and I believe she has a mirror so that the hen has some company.   :D
Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens!
Bagpuss RIP 1992 - June 2012, 1 huge grass carp (RIP "Jaws" July 2001 - December 2011), 4 golden orfe, 1 goldfish and 1 fantail fish (also huge)! plus 4 Italian quail, 1 Japanese quail, 1 Rosetta quail.

*

Maybelle

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Redditch, Worcestershire
  • 25
  • 4 Hens, Dog, Cat, Tortoise, Fishies, 2 Teenagers!
    • www.pecostudios.com
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2012, 12:28 »
Thanks to all of you have offered a kind word.  So far, Maggie does seem fine (though not laying)-in fact my daughter is spoiling her rotten with garden worms and titbits!  I do miss hear her 'talking' to the others though - she seems soo quiet :(  She has a nice little area at the end of our vegetable patch that includes a large mirror, though every evening when I get home she has escaped and is exploring the entire garden - little madam! Will keep you posted on how things go - a local supplier has some chickens ready in about 2 weeks..... xx

*

ANHBUC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: North East England
  • 8045
  • "You looking at me?!!!"
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2012, 12:11 »
Glad she is coping.  Good luck with resisting more hens!!  :blush:  :lol:

*

Maybelle

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Redditch, Worcestershire
  • 25
  • 4 Hens, Dog, Cat, Tortoise, Fishies, 2 Teenagers!
    • www.pecostudios.com
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2012, 11:34 »
Well, here's the latest update.  Despite Maggie still laying and seeming fine, she was definitely lonely so...... last night we collected three new girls; a red rock, speckledy and blue ranger.  Dusted all four of them with Johnsons Baby Powder (read this helps with scenting) and put them quietly in the Eglu with Maggie at dusk.  All seems ok so far this morning - just waiting for (and dreading) it to all kick off, but we'll see how it goes.  Maggie was certainly more a lot more vocal! I'll keep you posted... xxx

*

snowdrops

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Burbage,Leics
  • 19511
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2012, 14:12 »
Glad she has some new friends.
A woman's place is in her garden.

See my diary pages here
and add a comment here

*

ANHBUC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: North East England
  • 8045
  • "You looking at me?!!!"
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2012, 14:41 »
I hope that they settle in well and respect their elders!   :lol:

*

LittleRedHen

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Location: Coltishall, Norfolk
  • 853
    • little red hens egg blog
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2012, 14:49 »
So glad you went for more hens.  I will be reading to see how this goes for you as I think we will be going through the same process soon.  Best of luck!   :)
When I die I will slide in sideways, a glass of wine in one hand and chocolate in the other, screaming, "Whooo hooo!  What a ride!" as life is to be enjoyed to the fullest!

*

Maybelle

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Redditch, Worcestershire
  • 25
  • 4 Hens, Dog, Cat, Tortoise, Fishies, 2 Teenagers!
    • www.pecostudios.com
Re: One chicken left :(
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2012, 15:00 »
Apparently, reports from my daughter-who has the job of chicken-sitting today!, the elder is bossing the newbies around a bit and they keep all escaping from their enclosure and free ranging in the garden!  They're certainly keeping her busy.  :)



xx
Left them out overnight

Started by Dominic on Chicken Chat

2 Replies
1841 Views
Last post June 03, 2011, 09:26
by joyfull
xx
3 of my babies have left home.....

Started by Honeysuckle on Chicken Chat

3 Replies
1305 Views
Last post August 08, 2011, 15:50
by Honeysuckle
xx
chickens left on my doorstep

Started by rachelr on Chicken Chat

19 Replies
4017 Views
Last post April 04, 2011, 17:51
by jinty1911
xx
For the chicken that has everything

Started by ghost61 on Chicken Chat

13 Replies
4427 Views
Last post October 30, 2013, 09:24
by Springlands
 

Page created in 0.144 seconds with 39 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |