ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE MAGICAL WORLD OF POULTRY? #ASKTHEEXPERT!

Breeding a domestic hen

WELCOME TO A NEW #ASKTHEEXPERT COLUMN WITH MAURIZIO ARDUIN – RÈGIA EXPERIMENTAL STATION OF POULTRY FARMING!

Can I keep just one chicken?

The hen is a social animal used to living in groups.

Like all herd animals, hens also feel the need to form ‘closed’ groups within which to develop a strict hierarchy, with the identification of dominant individuals.

Respect for the hierarchical scale is an indispensable condition for maintaining tranquillity, avoiding situations of fear and maintaining a good level of well-being.

Especially when the hens are resting on their perches, it can be seen that they “seek” the closeness of their own kind, positioning themselves close to other hens even when the perch space is large.

It is generally recommended to keep at least a group of three hens in order to achieve an internal hierarchy.

If only one hen is kept, it is easy to observe that it seeks the company of other animals, including humans.

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