Anti-social chick?

[SJchickens]

I have two blue cochin x RIRs and four wyandottes, two SL, two GL.

I recently had to separate the two cochins from the wyandottes. The older of the two hates the wyandottes. Literally despises them. Whenever she's (I use "she" but the two cochins are not sexed and thus may be cockerels) around the wyandottes, she will stand as far away from them as possible. They do not pick on her.

At first I thought she would get over it, but then she became lethargic and would barely eat. I separated her with her sister, and she immediately perked up. She's doing fine on her own with her younger sibling, but I'm wondering why she hates the wyandottes? I thought they liked being in a flock! I only got the wyandottes because I was worried the cochins would be lonely on their own, and now I find out one of them is anti-social.

The younger one doesn't mind the wyandottes at all. It's only the older one.

Thank you!

 

[chooks4life]

I don't think she hates or despises them. Her avoiding them suggests they have been attacking her even if you've never seen it happen. They don't hide away from a certain animal for no reason.

Your presence may be distracting them and changing their behavior but that has no bearing on how they behave when you're not around. Her being sick suggests that this is her trying to avoid potential attacks while unable to defend herself.

Alternatively, if you're not sure of gender, you could have a sick cockerel avoiding another cockerel. Some photos possibly would help clear up whether that's the issue or not. Either way I would bet money on the antisocial chicken having been given good reason to be antisocial.

Best wishes.