Dealing with The Chicken Clique

[ccstar]

For just a month i have had chickens.

I have one chicken who's left out of the "click".
She's definitely the omega of the three and she follows the other two around a few paces behind all day long. That is, until the Ancona, goes in to lay. This tiny EE/ half bantam 2.5 pounder turns from the non laying/bring your chicken to show and tell chicken into a BRAT. She chases the white Ameraucana or EE and harasses her until her BFF is out of the coop. Then she turns back into the doormat that that other two don't like.
I worry their treatment of her is why she doesn't lay and I also worry that she's just plain unhappy here. While eggs would really help my budget I'm more concerned about this behavior that is very reminiscent of high school.

Should I take her back and swap her with another? Should I go get another half bantam like her for a friend? Something else?

 

[Rich386]

One of the best comparison yet. Like teenagers in high school. There always seems to be one that is left out. With mine when I added to the flock they found someone else to pick on.

 

[ccstar]

Thanks Rich! I was thinking they are girls and usually we don't do so well in groups of three and perhaps I had the same issue with my feathered girls.
So you think adding a 4th won't help? Sigh... Nobody wants to see an unhappy chicken... :-(

 

[Rich386]

More is always better. Why not try one more I would?

 

[ccstar]

Thank you Rich. So, if I go pick up another from the same breeder (I've only had mine a month) I need to keep it separated from the others for a whole right? I guess I should try to find an "introducing new chickens" thread... Wish me luck, LOL!

 

[Kernel Cluck]

I would add another. Who knows... maybe she will find a friend. Poor girl. I think every flock has the odd hen out. Mine is Betty, she is a White Rock and just kinda does her own thing. I added 2 hens hoping one would be her pal. But unfortunately she is still the lonely one. I hope yours finds a friend.

 

[Rich386]

Just keep them separate for a week and they should be OK. The other thing is it may be her personalty they all have one!

 

[Thassa]

I have a white silkie that is my left out girl. I can only describe her as Eeyore some days, sitting alone under a tree as the rest of the flock moves off without her. Other days she keeps up with them and hangs. I've never seen any of the other flock be mean to her in any way. I guess its just how she is and I hate it!

 

[ccstar]

I guess I project how I would feel on her. I can't handle ever seeing someone left out or hurting. But perhaps Rich is right too and it's just her personality. I'd hate to think she's just really a brat thru and thru and lashes out when the Ancona isn't watching... I do love them though and I'm allowed up to 6 per the city code (but my coop can only handle 4 max.) so perhaps Ill take a chance with a newbie. Thank you all for helping me thru my high school girl chicken dramas!!!