Only one chicken left - what to do

[Lougle]

We had 4 chicks from a preschool hatching programme just over 8 years ago. 2 died about 2/3 years ago, leaving 2. Yesterday we had to have Big Chicken euthanised because she was barely breathing or moving.

So, we now have one chicken. But we made a decision a couple of years ago that when our girls reached the end, that would be the end of our chicken keeping days. We don't want to get another chicken, but I hate the thought of her being lonely.

Would it be best to try and find her a new home (how?) so that she's not lonely? She's very lovely and follows us around the garden, so I don't want her to be sad.

Introducing her to another flock might cause her more distress than being on her own in the only place she's ever known.

I don't know if it was the right thing to do but when my last one was on her own I put a soft toy in her coop. She was very friendly too and I spent as much time as I could with her, she seemed quite content.

Hi, I think keeping her at yours might be the best option under the circumstances. At eight (haven't your hens done well?!), it is going to be very difficult for her to get used to a new place and be accepted by other chickens and very stressful for her as well, I think. Unless you could match her with a very similar hen I wouldn't even consider it.

I've just lost the last of my 'older hens' (they were much younger than yours) and I'm convinced that the loss of her friend was a big contributory factor. Poor Salt! She actually went and laid down in the spot her companion, Pepper, had died. So sad! Hope yours is getting on ok.