Can't seem to manage my little flock

[meadrian]

It's not always aggressive. Now and then, but usually from the head hen. She's a GLW and the other two are Barred Rock and Delaware. I've seen the Delaware and the GLW dust bathe together and the Barred Rock (head hen) and her sit side by side.

They sleep together on a roost but only after giving her a difficult time. It's almost routine.

I feed them pellets (16% protein), a variety of greens everyday. A handful of seed such as millet, wheat berries, etc. Yogurt with flax seed oil, occassionally cooked oatmeal a steady diet of worms and slugs and meal worms. They also get crushed egg shells with the oyster shells. Oh, and elecrolytes in the water once a week.

I have to say, sometimes they can get aggressive, but mostly it's just picking. She's smaller in size than the other two.

She doesn't have bear skin yet so I haven't used Blue Kote or Pick No More.

 

[meadrian]

I'll check that out. We're almost out of feed so now's a good time. I forgot to mention they also get pellet supplements about every 3 weeks.

Any idea where I can find that feed?

 

[vatterpa]

I think that without enough protein she could have a problem re-growng the feathers. Am I correct?

I have a roo that I just got from a family member a week and a half ago and he was missing most of his feathers on his front and all of his tail. I can tell now how quickly all the feathers are growing back in. They were cooped up too tight. now the feather stubbins (I have no idea what those things are called) are about 1/2 inch long and all picking has stopped.

I recommend more protein and lots more space. Maybe add a roost in the run?

 

[RockwaterFarm]

Quote:
Thats always not true, i have nursed a lot of chickens back to health and they are still very healthy
I would keep her away from the other hens until she has all her feathers back, chickens are naturally cannibalistic so its not your fault

 

[meadrian]

They have 5 roosts throughout the run. The roost they sleep on is 31/2 feet long. Protein could be an issue or how they're metabolizing.

They all had lice back in January and were treated. None since. But the Barred Rock lost alot of feathers on her backside that haven't grown back. The vet said she's picking them and gave me an ointment to try and relieve the irritation. I've been really concerned because like you said, the feathers grow back and hers hasn't. The vet recommended giving only pellets and greens for awhile. I'm open to the lack of protien or the metabolism and try other food. Other than that I'm at a total loss. They have room, roosts, peck a block, food, water, shelter plants for shade, dust baths and 2 nests for 3 birds.

 

[biddyboo]

I've come to terms that this is just chicken flock behavior. The hens that were picked on when we began our block are still the ones picked on. They NEVER object, so it's just "chicken life." Our top rank hens do not get dangerously aggressive to the lower-order hens, but yes, they do get irritable or peckish, as we call it. And interestingly, the pecked on hens are the ones who first peck on newcomers...no compassion in the chicken world! They are endlessly fun to have, but I've stopped worrying myself to death, trying to make their behavior what I want it to be. I keep them safe, well fed and watered, treated like princesses, but I no longer try to make "well-behaved people" out of them Just sharing what I've learned from my hens... ~G

 

[meadrian]

Actually, you make a good point. One that I've wondered about. I do tend to worry and treat them oh, so well. It's hard to determine when I'm taking precaution and when to let them just be. I know very little about chicken behaviour. Dogs, yes, chickens, no.

I forgot to mention that the one picked on likes to bite me. Fot no apparent reason. I'll be cleaning up, she'll walk over and bite my hand then go away. (I fondly refer to them as the Psycho Sisiters) The other two never attempt to, just her. In fact the Delaware got pretty aggressive yesterday morning. When I picked up the Delaware, the GLW flew on top of her while I was holding her and bit me. Hmmmm.

It was then I started to wonder if I was interfering with the natural order of things. I'll still check out the diet and add protien.

 

[elmo]

Buy more chickens! Seriously. Buy another chicken of the same breed as your picked on hen. She'll be able to flock with some one who looks like her and then she won't be so much of a target. You'll be changing the social dynamics of your flock.

 

[meadrian]

Really?!? I thought about it but then figured the new one would be the one picked on. Has anyone done that with success?