Death of one of my chicks, other is alone now

[HowellChicken123]

Hi there. I have had two 7 week old silkies out in my brooder coop together for about a month and a half. They were best friends and did everything together. Now I come outside to find that the coop was not as secure as I had thought and one of them had been eaten. They are almost at the age where I would move them into the big coop, but I’m now worried about the one silkie being alone. Does anyone have any suggestions. My mother in law had chicks of similar age could I bring one in they be friends? Or should I just put the one silkie in the main coop and let them do as they do? Very sad and heartbroken for her and want to make it as easy as I can.

 

[swamphiker]

I'm sorry for your loss. In my experience, new chicks/pullets don't fully integrate with the rest of the flock until they are fully mature and laying. Although your silkie will do okay on her own, she would surely appreciate having a buddy her own age to hang out as they integrate with the big hens.

 

[CrazyChickLady64]

Hi there. I have had two 7 week old silkies out in my brooder coop together for about a month and a half. They were best friends and did everything together. Now I come outside to find that the coop was not as secure as I had thought and one of them had been eaten. They are almost at the age where I would move them into the big coop, but I’m now worried about the one silkie being alone. Does anyone have any suggestions. My mother in law had chicks of similar age could I bring one in they be friends? Or should I just put the one silkie in the main coop and let them do as they do? Very sad and heartbroken for her and want to make it as easy as I can.

I'm am so sorry for your loss. I personally would never put one in with a flock I feel it would be cruel. Also why I always have a minimum of 4 in case 1 or 2 dies. Something I learned the hard way. I would definitely get a buddy for her. Maybe wait till they are a bit older Should you decide to place her alone watch her very closely the other hens may not accept her and do great harm to to her. Good luck

 

[perrypogue]

Hi there. I have had two 7 week old silkies out in my brooder coop together for about a month and a half. They were best friends and did everything together. Now I come outside to find that the coop was not as secure as I had thought and one of them had been eaten. They are almost at the age where I would move them into the big coop, but I’m now worried about the one silkie being alone. Does anyone have any suggestions. My mother in law had chicks of similar age could I bring one in they be friends? Or should I just put the one silkie in the main coop and let them do as they do? Very sad and heartbroken for her and want to make it as easy as I can.

I had a similar experience and lost 21 chicks one night. Since then I’ve substantially improved security. Below is a picture where the varmint tried to dig in. The next night the varmint found a different way in.

 

[schrody]

I had two chicks and a hawk snatched one away at around 7-8 weeks old. I don't seperate chicks from my flock. My single chick is 10 weeks old now and just chills with the rooster for companionship, he gives away food he finds and he lets the chick cuddle under him for warmth at night. It all depends on your flock, I guess.

 

[Dogs Cows Chicken]

Lucy and Ethel were best of friends until Ethel was snatched out of the coop one night. They were about a year old when it happened. After that, it was just Lucy putting up with me being her only friend. She made it clear that I'm a sorry excuse for a hen. As soon as I could afford (time and money) chicks, I brought little sisters home for her. By the time they were old enough to integrate with Lucy, she'd been a solo act for over four months. Now, they are all together, but Lucy is not very nice to her 5 little sisters. Her new message to me is clearly that she prefers me to them.

If I were you, I would make haste and find a companion for your little one asap. Lucy's story is a cautionary tale of a sad hen, lonely even among a flock of her own kind.