Backyard Decisions What To Do With One Urban Chicken | How To Build A Chicken Run
Backyard Decisions What To Do With One Urban Chicken
My first instinct was to quickly go out and get another hen (a pullet) to provide ZsuZsu some company. But then I researched the proper way to add a chicken to your existing flock and realized its a lot more sophisticated than simply choosing a breed, picking out a bird and tossing it into the coop with the other one. Theres the three-week quarantine and then the socialization and the holding ones breath while the pecking order is sorted out and wow, thats a lot to do.
Meanwhile, I had an overseas business trip and my last triathlon of the season and a climb up Mt Whitney, and suddenly a months gone by and ZsuZsu is still alone in the backyard.
So now its time to do something about her lonesomeness. ZsuZsu still seems skittish around the corner of the coop where Sophia passed away. I think were going to try to find ZsuZsu a new home with an established flock where shell have other chickens around to chase bugs and munch weeds and split time in the nesting box. While itll be tough to give her up, overall, I think shed be happier with more than a single companion, and the change of scenery might do her good.
This wouldnt spell the end of our urban chicken farming. With an empty coop, wed start anew with a couple new chickens (pullets, I think, but maybe chicks again) that my daughters could help pick out and name and care for.
I havent yet made a final decision that this is the way to go, but in writing it down, I think Im closer. Theres still the negotiations with my seven year-old daughter to navigate, and the matter of trying to find a good home for ZsuZsu.
Rest assured, Ill share the experience here. And if youve got other insights to add to the mix, please do so in the comments below.
Photo by KayVee.INC on Flickr
Backyard Decisions What To Do With One Urban Chicken
