If you’ve got 1 hen on it’s own, then chances are it’s lonely!
Chickens have a social order. Each chicken takes on an individual role within the flock which is the basis for the pecking order. This starts from the chick hatching all the way through to adult-hood. It’s what keep the peace within the coop.
The cockerel or the top hen looks out for the flock. They keep and eye out and sound out when there’s a predator near the flock. They are also the first to eat and drink before any other member of the flock. You’ll often find 2 or 3 hens grouped together on a daily basis. A lone chicken has no emotional or physical support and they become bored and lonely which can cause stress and can affect their egg production.
Having one lone hen makes them a great prey for predators. It can also effect the during the winter. The hens cuddle up to each other during the colder months to keep warm.
So whats the magic number?
The smallest ideal flock size is three hens for not only egg production but also in case one of them becomes sick or dies, it always leaves two together.
If you find yourself with only one chicken, what should you do?
The best option is to get some flock mates ASAP. Until then, you will need to find adequate protection for your hen, some people opt to bring them in the house, but a predator proof cage works just as well. Plan some entertainment for your chicken by putting new things to eat in the cage or by moving it around to different areas.
How to introduce a new hen
When the happy day arrives that you have found a couple of flock mates for your chicken, it is best to follow some rules to keep the bullying down in the coop.
First, it is best to quarantine the hens for a few days and/or have it checked by your vet to make sure they are healthy before introducing them to your coop.
Then place them in a smaller pen inside of the coop so they can get to know each other before they can physically peck at each other.
Once they are happy enough in each others company, you can let the new hen out and there should be minimal issues and you’ll have a happy flock!
