Is it normal to have a loner?

My 4 exbatts have settled in really well with us, but one of them seems always be on their own whereas the other 3 tend to stick together. She seems perfectly happy and healthy, but she's always to be found under the hedge and isn't coming out much for treats or to socialise like the others. She doesn't seem to have any interest in us really!

Is this normal and just an example of a different personality, or should I be worried?

 

Morning Sarah,if she's eating and drinking and her comb is nice and red then she should be fine.She's maybe taking a little while longer to settle in or it could be just like you say a different personality .My Willow prefers to be on her own or with the dogs a lot of the time but does occasionally mix with the other 'girls' .I have noticed that she's easily bullied though so keeps out the way and does her own thing.Keep a close watch on her if she's just sitting under the hedge quietly though but if she's rummaging around under there she sounds OK.

 

Agree with Loli but just to add, these are ex-batts - they are not used to "normal" chicken behaviour/environment so it may simply be that she is destined to be a loner.
You may find, with time, that she joins in but don't be too disappointed if she prefers her own company. Delight in the fact that she is now in a more natural environment and will live out her life in harmony with nature.

 

Morning Sarah, my last remaining ex batt doesn't spend much time in the flock, she prefers to be dust bathing or where possible with me! You've already had brilliant advice from Loli & M, I agree with them both 100%, keep an eye on her, chances are she's still settling in.

 

Maybe I'm just a paranoid new chicken mum haha! I just want to make sure they're happy.

Also, what do you all do when you leave the house, do you leave the chooks out or do you put them in their coops/runs? My fella says I should put them in in case of foxes/badgers etc, but it seems mean to keep them (literally) cooped up while I'm college etc, especially when it's sunny!

 

Perfectly normal to be an anxious new chicken mama

At my previous house I had a large walk in run (and a large garden) but, I would put them away, in their run, when I wasn't in the garden. I had a fox grab one of my hens (Fatty Hatty) when they were free ranging in the garden and I was no more than 10ft away!
Not something I would wish to witness again (or my neighbours come to that .... I ran like billy-o, "Grr!"ing like some demented wild animal, after the fox and, thankfully, he dropped her Obviously a young 'un trying its luck).

Here is a much, much smaller garden and the girls are restricted to their small run until I have the funds to section off their end of the garden. They do have "play time" every day, when they can run around the garden, dust bath, dig for grubs and generally let their hair down. But I have to balance their needs and Ozzy's needs and the two simply do not mix. Ozzy seems to think their are motorised toys for him to chase and run off with He's never so much as broken the skin on one, but, they do get their feathers ruffled and are most indignant on the rare occasion it has happened

Your main priority should be to be certain you have enough run space for them. Again, they are battery hens and, as such, they are used to a permanent space of not much bigger than a size of A4 paper to move around on. I'm assuming that isn't the case (per bird) in their run
Remember that the days are getting longer and you could give them play time when you get home from college They will learn to look forward to it and wait for you like puppies

 

I let my girls free range all day, it's really really risky & I know I shouldnt do it but I like them to be free! As Loli says you should shut them up when you go out, you never know who's lurking around! You could possibly make a secure run In your enclosure around the coop Sarah , but make sure it's big enough for your lonely hen to able to get away from the others, also it's good to be able to stand up in the run it makes it easier to clean out etc.

 

I bought a 4 lot plus coop&run from a friend last yr,2 of them was being pecked away in a sorry state,all are fine now
What i did was try to introduce them into my larger run with my others,it didnt work out,there was only one that was brave enough to venture out of the coop for days,so i took the 3 out and moved them back to their old run and all look fab now,i think they prefer being in 3s
The one i left is the 1 i think was picking on the other 3 but is now at low status in the main coop , keeps away from the others,but shes the smartest hen i know and always by my side
I think the loners are the craftiest,smartest and most lovable
Not sure i would want her to be top dog again one day incase her vile side reappears again x
You sure shes not getting broody? under the hedge? does she go to roost ok? x