🐔💔 What to Do With a Lonely Chicken

Chickens are flock animals through and through. They gossip together, dust-bathe together, and even roost shoulder-to-shoulder at night. So what happens if you end up with just one lonely hen? Maybe you lost others to predators, illness, or rehoming—and now your poor girl is clucking around the yard looking lost. Don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to cheer up a solo chook!

😢 Signs Your Chicken Is Lonely

A lonely hen might:

• Call out constantly, as if she’s searching for her missing friends

• Stick close to you whenever you’re outside

• Look bored or even stop laying eggs

• Seem stressed, restless, or not her usual self

If you spot these signs, it’s time to play chicken matchmaker!

🐓 1. Find Her Some New Friends

The simplest solution? Get her some new flock mates! Chickens really do thrive in groups. Ideally, add at least two new hens (so introductions are smoother and no one feels singled out). Quarantine them first for health reasons, then introduce slowly using a wire fence so they can see but not fight each other. Before long, your lonely hen will be back to scratching, pecking, and gossiping with her new pals.

👩🌾 2. Be Her Temporary Buddy

If getting new chickens isn’t an option right away, spend some extra time with her. Chickens can bond closely with people—she might follow you around the garden, sit on your lap, or even “help” with chores. It’s not quite the same as having a flock, but it can ease her loneliness.

🎁 3. Provide Enrichment

Keep her busy with fun activities:

• Scatter scratch grains or mealworms for her to forage

• Hang up a cabbage or lettuce ball for her to peck at

• Set up logs, perches, or a dust-bath spot for entertainment
  Boredom busters can make a big difference in her mood.

🐥 4. Consider a Different Companion

If new chickens aren’t possible, some people have had success with other animal friends. A gentle goat, a duck, or even a rabbit can provide companionship (though it depends on the personalities involved). Just make sure everyone is safe, and no one gets bossy.

🌞 The Happy Ending

Chickens are social butterflies, and one hen alone is never truly content. Whether you bring in new feathered friends, spend extra time with her, or get creative with enrichment, you’ll see her perk back up. A happy chicken is a healthy chicken—and in no time, she’ll be clucking with joy again.