Hen is starving herself.

I have a barnevelder named Mallory who is pretty low in pecking order. Six months ago we hatched a rooster who is now mating our 12 hens. Mallory is especially opposed to be mounted by the rooster. She runs and screams and hides. So about a month ago, I noticed she was hiding on the patio ALOT. I picked her up only to realize she weighed next to nothing. So I put her in a separate pen and two weeks later she seemed fine. So I tarted letting her mingle again. Eventually she started sleeping in the main coop again. But now we are back to square one. She doesn't come down from roost or out of coop to eat and drink. And she's skinny again. My extra pen is currently being occupied by my broody. I could definitely fix up something temporary again but I really need to know how to solve this once and for all. Should I rehome her or the roo? Other options? Am I missing something ( like illness?)? Thanks in advance for any suggestions yall might have!

My only suggestion is to provide multiple water and feed stations.

It sounds much more behavioural than physical to me - there definitely seems to be a problem between Mallory and your rooster. To keep her safe (and sane) I would be inclined to separate her again - at least then she will start to eat properly and put the weight back on. But you will have to decide which is more important to your flock - a laying hen or a rooster to breed and to defend your flock?

I had a roo who was very keen on one particular girl, and it got to the extent where she would hide from him all day in the bushes, and not even want to go in the coop with him at night. I am not interested in breeding birds, and my girls are in a pretty safe environment, so the decision was more or less made for me - I kept my girl and got rid of the roo. Within 48 hours of him going the flock was back to normal, and my girl was happily eating and roosting with the others again.

Cleaning ? Hi all, first let me apologize I'm not quite sure how to manuver this site yet , fumble fingers on my cell phone and kinda in a rush to have a question answered so I hope someone can help me out. I've inherited a small chicken coop and don't know about the previous occupants is there something special I need to do to clean it or will my birds be safe thanks so much D. in California

I do have multiples of both food and water, and the chickens free range during the day but Mallory rarely leaves the coop. Has anyone ever dealt with this before? Should I rehome one of them? Today I fed her in the coop.

Ok sorry I didn't see the second post about behavior. That's pretty much what my gut is telling me. I don't see a need for the rooster really. But he is pretty because he's a silkie/ polish mix. He keeps my hens hidden away most of the day though ( under our shed)! I like the idea of breeding and hatching my own fertile eggs because I have a very broody Cochin. But I hardly had any layers, so I ordered new chicks. Then I ended up with a broody and some maran fertile eggs, plus my rooster mixed with barred rock, EEs, Cochin, and maybe a lemon cuckoo orp. Oh the chicks will be plenty! I'm sure at least one of them will be a roo. But, here's the other kicker- I'm in my third year of keeping chickens. Most of my hens are two or three. Mallory is two. I've never gotten rid of any hens because they weren't laying. But I am at that point due to my poor chicken math and space. Only, I'm not sure I could eat my birds. I do t remember the last time Mallory laid an egg! She molted and then the rooster thing started. Decisions....
I might consider separating the rooster for a few days and see how that goes.

Magichicken said:

Cleaning ? Hi all, first let me apologize I'm not quite sure how to manuver this site yet , fumble fingers on my cell phone and kinda in a rush to have a question answered so I hope someone can help me out. I've inherited a small chicken coop and don't know about the previous occupants is there something special I need to do to clean it or will my birds be safe thanks so much D. in California

Click to expand...

I'd hose it out well and spray it down with Lysol or a chlorine solution.
After it dries completely, dust it with some DE before you put bedding down.