I have a little Buttercup that is a lot smaller than the rest of the hens we have and they are picking on her enough for her to run out to the chicken coop and out of the pen or roost for a long time up high. Is there anything I can do besides removing one of them from the coop? thanks for the help. This is the first time I have had chickens and all this is new.
we brought in a dozen new hens to add to our dozen that we've had for about a year & the same thing is happening. We have a separate water & feed them separate to make sure they are getting enough but they also don't let them in the nest box without a fight. I too would be open for suggestions.
Oh that poor baby she is definitely at the low hen pecking order & sounds like she is a shy gentle hen so they will keep at her...so I recommend if you can separate her with one of the calmer gentle hens who is not picking on her it will help greatly...they need a buddy as they are flock animals & can get too lonely if separated even if they can see & hear the others. You can keep them in the same coop but make a fenced separate area where the picked on baby & her buddy sleep, eat, nest & so on without the fear of being hurt or chased off. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive fencing, even old tent type netting will work as long as its secure at the bottom so the other hens can't get to them. this may help greatly & allow them all to be together during the day. Beth, yes with the new hens you may want to add another 1 or 2 nesting boxes in a different area of the coop & that should help with the nest fighting.....also with the new hens the stress level is much higher so give more treats to all of them like cheerios, canned tuna, apples. they are burning more energy & though the chicken feed gives them what they require they are burning up more calories so the treats helps plus gives them something to do besides fight.
Chickens RULE! hen #2622 theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com
Mean chicken?
Posted - Oct 19 2013 : 2:57:37 PM
