- Apr 29, 2011
- 30
- 0
- 32
Hey guys,
I have my first flock of chickens that we've had less than a week. We went to ca local poultry farm and bought 3 rhode island reds, 3 buff orpingtons and 1 PLymouth Rock rooster. They are living in a 9x14 horse stall converted into a coup with chicken wire and barbed wire at various weak spots that might be interesting to predators (barbed wire is out of reach of the chickens).
All 6 hens were living together where they came from, just ina much larger group. The Roo was living with others of his kind. Day 1 there was a little bullying from him but it passed and they have been peaceful ever since. A few weeks ago someone dumped a chick at our local Animal Welfare League and a veterinarian friend of mind took it home. She has two adult hens who were nasty to the baby and she was worried.
She brought it over to me since my hens are younger (14 weeks if I remember correctly). We don't know how old this chick is, by her telephone description I thought it was similar to mine but when I saw it it's tiny! Well, about half the size of mine. Anyway, at first there was some squawking but now the runt is on one end by herself and everyone is ignoring her.
I have put in an extra bowl of food so that they can't bully her from eating. Do you think there's any chance they'll turn on her if they haven't yet? Will she be okay in there? I don't have any other chicken accomodations and my spare dog crate is up at our old house (arg) 45 mins away and inaccessible.
I have my first flock of chickens that we've had less than a week. We went to ca local poultry farm and bought 3 rhode island reds, 3 buff orpingtons and 1 PLymouth Rock rooster. They are living in a 9x14 horse stall converted into a coup with chicken wire and barbed wire at various weak spots that might be interesting to predators (barbed wire is out of reach of the chickens).
All 6 hens were living together where they came from, just ina much larger group. The Roo was living with others of his kind. Day 1 there was a little bullying from him but it passed and they have been peaceful ever since. A few weeks ago someone dumped a chick at our local Animal Welfare League and a veterinarian friend of mind took it home. She has two adult hens who were nasty to the baby and she was worried.
She brought it over to me since my hens are younger (14 weeks if I remember correctly). We don't know how old this chick is, by her telephone description I thought it was similar to mine but when I saw it it's tiny! Well, about half the size of mine. Anyway, at first there was some squawking but now the runt is on one end by herself and everyone is ignoring her.
I have put in an extra bowl of food so that they can't bully her from eating. Do you think there's any chance they'll turn on her if they haven't yet? Will she be okay in there? I don't have any other chicken accomodations and my spare dog crate is up at our old house (arg) 45 mins away and inaccessible.
