- Aug 7, 2012
- 8
- 1
- 9
Away at camp this summer, we went to a flea market and my friend and I bought two beautiful Barred Rock laying hens. I kept them at camp for about a month and I brought them home. So I've had them for about two months, and I decided to get two more chickens. I decided to get older chickens so my current Barred Rocks and my cat wouldn't bully the chicks. I got a Silver Laced Wyandotte and a White Rock (at least that's what the guy told me). Both were about the age to just start laying. The Wyandotte immediately became part of the group and now roams the yard with my Barred Rocks, but all three of them pick on the White Rock. It isn't vicious bullying, but if she's too close to them they chase her away and peck at her. Sometimes they go out of their way to chase her when she isn't even nearby.
I knew that bullying was a possibility when getting new chickens, but I've started to worry because I haven't seen her eat. She wouldn't eat out of my hand either while I held her or when I put food infront of her on the ground. (I'm not sure if it's the food, I'm feeding them crumbles). I have to put her in the coop with the others at night, and I have to take her out in the morning. Other than that, she just roams the yard hiding in bushes separated from the other girls. I feel really bad for her, but I don't know what to do. I don't know whether I should wait and let them establish their pecking order or not because I'm afraid it may kill her.
Since this morning, she's been limping a little and having a hard time jumping (which the hens need to do to get out of the run and into the free range of my backyard). Now she's just standing still wherever I put her. I'll hold her for a little while to check on her. Then I'll set her down somewhere, and an hour later she'll still be in the same spot. I'm getting really worried, please help!
I knew that bullying was a possibility when getting new chickens, but I've started to worry because I haven't seen her eat. She wouldn't eat out of my hand either while I held her or when I put food infront of her on the ground. (I'm not sure if it's the food, I'm feeding them crumbles). I have to put her in the coop with the others at night, and I have to take her out in the morning. Other than that, she just roams the yard hiding in bushes separated from the other girls. I feel really bad for her, but I don't know what to do. I don't know whether I should wait and let them establish their pecking order or not because I'm afraid it may kill her.
Since this morning, she's been limping a little and having a hard time jumping (which the hens need to do to get out of the run and into the free range of my backyard). Now she's just standing still wherever I put her. I'll hold her for a little while to check on her. Then I'll set her down somewhere, and an hour later she'll still be in the same spot. I'm getting really worried, please help!
