Can my hen have a stuffed animal?

[smiracle94]

Hi! I'm new here and a new chicken owner! I bought 2 chickens in April (Xena & Penelope) and Penelope disappeared on Thursday. Now Xena is all alone and I know how important it is for chickens to have companions. But I won't be able to get anymore for a few more weeks so I was wondering what I could do until then. I interact with her every day for at least an hour (I got them as pets not for the eggs) and my dog spends time with her as well. But I was wondering if maybe I could put a stuffed animal with her at night to make her comfortable like you can with other animals. Thank you!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I am so sorry you lost a bird!

It is never easy on you or the one left by themselves. There are a few things you can do to help her cope with being alone. During the day it helps to keep a radio on, tuned into some quiet music. Birds respond to soft music and it does quiet their anxieties. Also, keep a ticking clock in the coop. The ticking all night long will keep her blood pressure even. I have had great luck with the clock in the coop. My birds are so used to it that if I have separated a bird into a hospital cage all by themselves, I put the clock in the hospital cage with them and have honestly seen them snuggle right up to it. Also...get some old towels and fold them up so that they lay over the roost bar, or attach them if you can. But at roosting time, if she sleeps up agains a wall or anything, snuggle these towels right up against her so she feels like another bird might be next to her. And yes, even a stuffed animal will work too. Make sure she is not afraid of it however, so you may need to leave it in the coop for a while til she gets used to it. This is why I suggested the towels.

Anyway, these are the things I would do and have done for birds that are alone and have good success with keeping them quiet during the day and night. Giving her as much attention as possible on your part, and she should be good for quite some time by herself if you can't get her a buddy soon.

Good luck with her and we do welcome you to our flock!

 

[goofychickens]

Honestly, you can do whatever you want. Although, it seems you and your puppy are giving it enough love, and it might be frightened of it. My suggestion is to put a mirror in its coop, because I have found this helpful with erm, chicken loneliness.
-GoofyPoofy

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT

 

[drumstick diva]

Glad you joined us at Backyard chickens.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join us here! Enjoy your time here on BYC

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us! I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your hen.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[smiracle94]

Thank you everyone! You're all so nice, and gave some great advice!

 

[Deb Prinzi]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I am so sorry you lost a bird!

It is never easy on you or the one left by themselves. There are a few things you can do to help her cope with being alone. During the day it helps to keep a radio on, tuned into some quiet music. Birds respond to soft music and it does quiet their anxieties. Also, keep a ticking clock in the coop. The ticking all night long will keep her blood pressure even. I have had great luck with the clock in the coop. My birds are so used to it that if I have separated a bird into a hospital cage all by themselves, I put the clock in the hospital cage with them and have honestly seen them snuggle right up to it. Also...get some old towels and fold them up so that they lay over the roost bar, or attach them if you can. But at roosting time, if she sleeps up agains a wall or anything, snuggle these towels right up against her so she feels like another bird might be next to her. And yes, even a stuffed animal will work too. Make sure she is not afraid of it however, so you may need to leave it in the coop for a while til she gets used to it. This is why I suggested the towels.

Anyway, these are the things I would do and have done for birds that are alone and have good success with keeping them quiet during the day and night. Giving her as much attention as possible on your part, and she should be good for quite some time by herself if you can't get her a buddy soon.

Good luck with her and we do welcome you to our flock!

Thank you for this post. I am about to go to one last chicken. Her mate is about to pass away…. I have had her for 6 years and don’t want to RE-house her if I don’t need. I will try the clock & towels