- Apr 2, 2013
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So last fall I had two birds killed off in what I think was a power fight for the top bird in the coop. I am fairly certain that my speckled sussex (who at one time was the bottom bird in the flock) took out one of my buff orpingtons (who was the number 2 bird) and my silver laced wyandotte (who I never could tell if she was number 1 or shared the number two spot) were found dead roughly two weeks apart. In both cases leading up to the deaths I had seen the speckled sussex act very aggressively toward both birds.
About two and a half weeks ago the speckled sussex and my australorpe both went broody. They were sharing duty on a big pile of eggs in the back of the coop and everything seemed to have been peaceful. This afternoon I went out to collect eggs and found the speckled sussex dead in the opposite corner. She had been the most dedicated....for at least two of those weeks she had been on the nest she had not left other than to grab a quick bite to eat. Yesterday I had seen her out in the coop eating and drinking both...and then today she was dead. The manner in which she was laying there it appeared as if there was a struggle, but I could find no peck marks.
So, I am wondering....who else has seen assassinations in the coop? I am amazed at how cut throat chickens really are!
And one more thing....The two birds probably had 2 dozen eggs squirreled away back there that they were sharing. Now I am wondering if I should pull some out and put them in an incubator or just leave them and see how the survivor does on her own.....any thoughts?
About two and a half weeks ago the speckled sussex and my australorpe both went broody. They were sharing duty on a big pile of eggs in the back of the coop and everything seemed to have been peaceful. This afternoon I went out to collect eggs and found the speckled sussex dead in the opposite corner. She had been the most dedicated....for at least two of those weeks she had been on the nest she had not left other than to grab a quick bite to eat. Yesterday I had seen her out in the coop eating and drinking both...and then today she was dead. The manner in which she was laying there it appeared as if there was a struggle, but I could find no peck marks.
So, I am wondering....who else has seen assassinations in the coop? I am amazed at how cut throat chickens really are!
And one more thing....The two birds probably had 2 dozen eggs squirreled away back there that they were sharing. Now I am wondering if I should pull some out and put them in an incubator or just leave them and see how the survivor does on her own.....any thoughts?
