A Stressed, terrified, or maybe just stubborn hen

[ShelbyCoral]

I am at a loss. A year is a long time, but she is obviously still mentally affected. Do you talk to her? I know it sounds silly, but maybe if she can associate good things with your voice she'll make some progress.

I do talk to her, I always have her in my jacket. She loves being in my jacket! Its her favorite place to be.

 

[ShelbyCoral]

Gosh it sounds like you have a lot of hawk problems. Maybe your flock needs more protection. I think any type of stress may stop their egg laying . She sounds really stressed.

We only have 2 hawk attacks in 3 years and i only have had chickens for 4 years. The hawks only messed with our pullets when they were little. We have been attacked by coyotes, fox and once my a raccoon but I killed the coon myself.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I think you should let her decide whether to come out of her coop.

I have had d'Uccles before and they are very timid, I agree, about free ranging. Mine refused to free range with the large fowl when given a chance. They would go out of the pen just a ways then turn around and go back.

I think this is beneficial to them and so would just say to keep her in your pocket like she likes, or under your chair where she wants to be.

We have lots of hawks and eagles here (and owls) and it is very dangerous here. I have an area with netting overhead where they can retreat to for safety, and a large area where I have pallets elevated on concrete blocks to run under.

But I still do have losses under the netting area on occasion and unless they are behind hardware cloth there is no escaping losses sometimes. It sounds like your girl knows her limits and just wants to play it safe.

She is so sweet looking and cute!

 

[ShelbyCoral]

I understand the not going outside thing.... She is super small! So cute! Hence the name Peanut! But I'm just a worried mama. She wont lay and lingers near the nesting boxes when her friend lays...