[rcandy2001]

Hi again everyone!

I just wanted to know everyones views on keeping just two chickens? Are they enough company for eachother, or is it best to keep a minimum of 3.

[Vember]

If you can in my opinion go for 3.

If you only get 2 and the unexpected happens and you loose one, you'd be left with one very sad, lonely hen

Sarah

[kimT]

I agree with Vember you need at least 3 and if you can home more than 3..................go for it!

[rcandy2001]

If you can in my opinion go for 3.

If you only get 2 and the unexpected happens and you loose one, you'd be left with one very sad, lonely hen

Sarah

Sarah, thats a valid point, one i never thought of.

[rcandy2001]

Is there anyone here that keeps just the two? and if so how do you find it

[andreadon]

we started off with 3 (because of the above advice)
Fox killed Monica and we were left with 2.

We had just the 2 for a couple of months (before we got the ex-batts).  They seemed to be okay - they had their own little pecking order, but there was always that nagging feeling in the back of my head - what if one of the others died?

[Aunt Sally]

I have 2 hens, they are very happy - so they tell me ! 

When we lost one we replaced her immediatly and they settled down together quite quickly.

[rcandy2001]

I have 2 hens, they are very happy - so they tell me ! 

When we lost one we replaced her immediatly and they settled down together quite quickly.

And you dont get any problems atall related to just having 2 hens? Is there still a pecking order?

[Rhode Runner]

Poultry are very addictive anyway. When you've had two for a few weeks you will be looking around for some more. The main thing to remember is get a big coop.
 at the outset. 

Allan

[Jane-M]

Poultry are very addictive anyway. When you've had two for a few weeks you will be looking around for some more. The main thing to remember is get a big coop.
 at the outset. 

Allan

So true, so true. I started with a "maximum" of three - that was in August we are now up to seven and planning another two come May - the house will then be full. Of course I do have the little coop...

[Aunt Sally]

I have 2 hens, they are very happy - so they tell me ! 

When we lost one we replaced her immediatly and they settled down together quite quickly.

And you dont get any problems atall related to just having 2 hens? Is there still a pecking order?

No... no problems at all they are the best of chums.  Give any number of chooks enough space and environmental stimulation and social problems are avoided.

[Aunt Sally]

In just over three years my two hens have given me over 1,400 eggs 

[rcandy2001]

In just over three years my two hens have given me over 1,400 eggs 

Wowzers! what breed have you got?

[Aunt Sally]

They are hybrid laying birds

Harriet is 3 1/2 years old and is a Bovans Nera  ~ 650 eggs laid

Gerty (deceassed at two years) was a Meadowsweet Goldline  ~430 eggs laid

Emily is my replacement for Gerty and is possibly a Suffolk Blacktail ~ 330 eggs laid

[Hengist]

We're still hen-less (run in the making!) but are planning on 4.  I have been reading up and most people feel that one alone is unhappy, and also trying to add a single hen is a problem because of pecking-order issues.  However, I can see that if you add one to one there's not much 'order' to establish.
We thought that 4 meant that when you are down to 2 you can add 2 more - so each one has someone on their side?  Seemed to make sense when we decided!