Chicken ontop of chicken??

[FaithArthur123999]

Hey guys! We came home a little later than planned last night and found the chickens locked out of their coop they are in a secured run so were safe anyway but on the odd occasion the omlet door shuts before some of them get in. Thankfully looking at how dark it was, they were probably only out for half an hour. My partner went down to check on them and found 1 of my chickens Audrey, stood ontop of Daphne? She wasnt plucking feathers or moving but my partner said she didnt want to get off her? Im trying to understand if this is bullying or if they were scared about being locked out? We have now changed the time on the omlet door to prevent this again. Ive attached a photo too. I just found it odd any ideas??

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

Hey guys! We came home a little later than planned last night and found the chickens locked out of their coop they are in a secured run so were safe anyway but on the odd occasion the omlet door shuts before some of them get in. Thankfully looking at how dark it was, they were probably only out for half an hour. My partner went down to check on them and found 1 of my chickens Audrey, stood ontop of Daphne? She wasnt plucking feathers or moving but my partner said she didnt want to get off her? Im trying to understand if this is bullying or if they were scared about being locked out? We have now changed the time on the omlet door to prevent this again. Ive attached a photo too. I just found it odd any ideas??

Are you sure they weren’t breeding? Or was Audrey literally just standing on top of her? Cause if so I’ve had chicks do that to their mama’s, and if Audrey is younger then Daphne, that could be it? How old are they? Overall, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Just keep an eye on them and it should be fine.

 

[FaithArthur123999]

Are you sure they weren’t breeding? Or was Audrey literally just standing on top of her? Cause if so I’ve had chicks do that to their mama’s, and if Audrey is younger then Daphne, that could be it? How old are they? Overall, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Just keep an eye on them and it should be fine.

Hey, I dont think they were. My partner went into the run to put them to bed and he said he had to life Audrey off Daphne as she wouldnt move? They are both approx the same age, they are the same batch of ex battery hens. They are just over 2 years old now x

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

Hey, I dont think they were. My partner went into the run to put them to bed and he said he had to life Audrey off Daphne as she wouldnt move? They are both approx the same age, they are the same batch of ex battery hens. They are just over 2 years old now x

Okay then Audrey’s definitely not a rooster. That crosses that out. Maybe Audrey was just confused because it was dark and she was trying to find a place outside to roost, and she found a perfect candidate— aka Daphne’s back
As you said, she wasn’t plucking feather or pecking at her, so it’s most likely non aggressive. Chickens do a lot of weird stuff, so that, as well as the confusion with being locked out of the coop and trying to find somewhere safe to roost is probably all there is to it. Just keep an eye on them and it should be all good.
Hope this helps!

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

Hey, I dont think they were. My partner went into the run to put them to bed and he said he had to life Audrey off Daphne as she wouldnt move? They are both approx the same age, they are the same batch of ex battery hens. They are just over 2 years old now x

+forgot to add this but yeah, the standing on top of her friend could’ve been in an attempt to get closer for warmth/to feel secure. Chickens like to feel safe, and are flock animals, so she likely just wanted to be close to her friend for extra security.

 

[DobieLover]

they are in a secured run so were safe anyway

The run is not secure at all. Just about anything can tear through that chicken wire.
The coop also needs a lot more ventilation. That could be one of the reasons they didn't go in at dusk. It's also too small for them. Nearly every pre-fab on the market is grossly undersized for the number of birds it claims it can house.
As for the one bird sitting on top of the other... anyone's guess. I'd be focusing on the security and ventilation issues instead and they'll roost in the coop instead of on each other.

 

[Callender Girl]

The only times I've ever seen my chickens sitting on top of each other was when they were both declaring themselves the rightful "owner" of a nest box. I don't really know what's going on with yours, maybe something scared them?

The situation you described is exactly why I am reluctant to use an automatic door. But, I am so paranoid that even though I have extremely secure runs (now), I still look inside the coops and count every feathery head every night.

I will admit to using chicken wire or other woven wire on temporary runs, but I only let my poultry out when I was home and could keep an eye and ear on them from the house. Everyone was fine for quite a while. Until they weren't one night. A mink had no problem getting into the run and through the coop door that I forgot to close.

After that, I upgraded to hardware cloth -- which is both sturdier and much more expensive.

 

[sybonbon]

Hey guys! We came home a little later than planned last night and found the chickens locked out of their coop they are in a secured run so were safe anyway but on the odd occasion the omlet door shuts before some of them get in. Thankfully looking at how dark it was, they were probably only out for half an hour. My partner went down to check on them and found 1 of my chickens Audrey, stood ontop of Daphne? She wasnt plucking feathers or moving but my partner said she didnt want to get off her? Im trying to understand if this is bullying or if they were scared about being locked out? We have now changed the time on the omlet door to prevent this again. Ive attached a photo too. I just found it odd any ideas??

Sometimes I have a chicken who won't let anyone through the door to come in. The others pile up on the ramp and on each other. I never thought it meant anything other than being scared and staying closed together in the dark.

 

[FaithArthur123999]

Thank you all for your responses! They have both been fine with each other today so dont think its a bullying thing! Think they were a bit scared bless them, hopefully they will all make it in tonight. Im home all day so will go down as soon as its dark. Thanks again

 

[UncleDougsChickens]

I have a really large chicken coop, could probably hold 30+ chickens but houses 20 at the moment. Even with plenty of room for everyone to spread out, quite a few like to sleep very very close to each other. After raising chickens for a couple years now, I don't think they have any concept of personal space and will go/sleep wherever they want. I think if you see missing feathers or other injuries then its bullying, but standing on top of eachother, despite being weird to us, isnt bullying.