Battling hens!

[Cryss]

Today we put blinders on Fraggle.

At first I thought there was going to be a gang murder when everyone had to have a few pecks at the specs. She got chased a lot. I have to admit a mean streak in myself thinking "See? That's how poor Henneth feels!" But no blood was drawn and it didn't last long. Occasionally a single chook would notice again and take a peck or two. I'm noticing other pecking order activities in the flock that aren't a problem. Henneth is still petrified of Fraggle. She is very actively avoiding contact. She is probably low man on the totem pole anyway cuz she keeps to the outer edges of the flock. I've checked on them a few times. They seem about the same. I'm going to leave both coops open to see where everyone settles tonight.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Wait. So you reward her bullying behavior by buying her a cool pair of shades?!! Oh, where did we go wrong in our advice....... *sigh*.

 

[Cryss]

Wait. So you reward her bullying behavior by buying her a cool pair of shades?!! Oh, where did we go wrong in our advice....... *sigh*.

Yeah, she's the coolest chick in town and the envy of all the others.

 

[Cryss]

Ok, everyone is in bed. All are in one coop! Fraggle is at one end of the long roost, Henneth is at the other. Tomorrow they will have a full day together rather than just 2 waking hours. so we shall see how it goes.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

How is the flock doing Cryss?

 

[Cryss]

How is the flock doing Cryss?

Definitely better! Fraggle is now nearsighted so she's not the threat. Normal pecking order continues. Petra might chase Henneth a bit. Henneth is bottom chook and keeps her distance but is realizing she is safe. Actually Wynnie, SLW, seems to be top hen. She's not a bully but Fraggle and Petra defer to her. She's always the first one out of the coop in the morning chattering away at me. She always has lots to say. Henneth and Wynnie had joined the flock when they were about 5 weeks old as a pair and continue to be buddies. Henneth will stay behind Wynnie if she feels threatened. And if I am in the run Henneth is under my feet! She doesn't care to be picked up but isn't afraid when I do. She knows I'm her protector. As for the BOs, Nugget and Eggsmerelda, they are still doing a bit of molting. They never seem to give me reason to be concerned, just kinda melt into the flock. They are the oldest members. Eggsmerelda has been very pale for at least a week or two yet seems ok, eating, sleeping, drinking, scratching. I keep watching. Roopecca, he's very calm lately. Hasn't "fluffed" at us in maybe 2 months.
So, for now I'm calling this a success .

Now, how about your gals? Maybe we should be making dedicated threads for normal following of our flocks. Is that a thing? I think it is, gonna check into it.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Check Eggsmerelda for lice as they could be causing her to be pale.

 

[Cryss]

Check Eggsmerelda for lice as they could be causing her to be pale.

Thanks for your recommendation. I've been a bit under the weather and not doing much more than waking the flock up and putting them to bed. Today hubby was able to help me have a look. Vent, head, legs, under the wing. Eggy looks clear. Tonight we'll have a look for red mites under the roost after they are settled. So far so good and I don't see anything else suspect. She's just pale.

 

[Cryss]

Short video of my flock around the feeding area. At the end you see Fraggle with her spectacles and Eggsmerelda next to her looking pale. If there are no lice or mites should I put some vitamins in the water?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I put garlic powder in my chickens’ feed when I refill the feeders. Lice and mites don’t seem to like garlic flavored blood.