Depressed chicken

[MelbaQ]

I have a 1 1/2 yo Black Sexton who is depressed : (. I bought her and 3 others a little over a year ago and eventually they got to laying one egg a day each- and happily wandered around my yard or in the pen. I live in the city limits- so no roosters. Then 3 1/2 months ago raccoons got 3 of them, — I got out in time to save her, thanks to my barking dog. After a few weeks I brought in 3 new 2 1/2 month old pullets. I made sure just one was black, because I find that similar types tend to bond- ( I thought it was an Austrolorp, but because it's so unfriendly Im sure its a Sexton) . .but instead the 3 pullets all hang out together and ignore her. At first, of course, she terrorized them and I set up another chick shack to separate them, . . . but eventually she gave in to them and then seemed to want to mother them, and t be with them, but they are very close knit only hang out together. Its very sad. She will sit on one side of the chicken wire fence and stare at them all sitting together on the other side. She is not laying eggs. She's only laid 4 eggs since the raccoon attack. She didnt come out of the chicken shack for an hour after it was opened this morning and the other night she stayed solo in the other one. She never used to let me pet her but now she squats for me, though briefly. She really needs another chicken to bond withI. thought to bring in one more chicken- one around her age- It would probably have to be another Black Sexton, because they are so agressive and its gonna be tough bringing in a new chicken- though Id rather try for an Austrolop - does anyone have any suggestions? Any well seasoned chicken therapists out there? thanks for reading





depressed chickens.
sad lonely

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have a 1 1/2 yo Black Sexton.

She never used to let me pet her but now she squats for me, though briefly.

What is a sexton?

She is squatting because she wants to be bred----she is lonely for a mate!!

 

[keesmom]

What is a sexton?

I'm going to guess the OP means black sex link...

I She will sit on one side of the chicken wire fence and stare at them all sitting together on the other side.

How old are the new pullets now? Are they all in the same run now or still separated?

 

[aart]

@MelbaQ....oops tagging not working......is it spring or fall where you live?

 

[lazy gardener]

I would break up the trio, and put the lowest in the pecking order with the lone bird for a few weeks, then put both groups back together. Unless there is blood shed, keep them together, and see how it goes at that time. An other thought, is your black gal may be sick.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sorry for your loss to raccoons.

And I hope your girl gets to feeling better.

 

[azygous]

The raccoon attack should not be affecting your hen by this time. What you describe is very commonly known as the pecking order. It establishes itself in spite of our meddling. It does not guarantee that individuals will bond with each other, just that they will form a flock according to rank depending on temperament.

What you are seeing is not in any way like what humans experience. Your hen is not lonely, not does she crave a buddy, not does she feel "left out". She is deriving security and fulfillment from simply having the other three pullets in proximity. She's fine. You're not. You are projecting your own emotions about friendship and being left out of the group onto your hen.

You can add another hen to your flock, but the new hen will then be in the same situation as your present hen - low hen in the pecking order. In fact, it will disrupt your flock and have unintended consequences. Not to say you shouldn't introduce a new hen, just that it has consequences and no "happy ending" is insured.

Bonds between chickens take time to form, and it depends on the individuals, not on anything we do. Be patient. Your hen will work things out and be fine.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm guilty of anthropomorphism sometimes as well. But I am learning!

 

[donrae]

The raccoon attack should not be affecting your hen by this time. What you describe is very commonly known as the pecking order. It establishes itself in spite of our meddling. It does not guarantee that individuals will bond with each other, just that they will form a flock according to rank depending on temperament.

What you are seeing is not in any way like what humans experience. Your hen is not lonely, not does she crave a buddy, not does she feel "left out". She is deriving security and fulfillment from simply having the other three pullets in proximity. She's fine. You're not. You are projecting your own emotions about friendship and being left out of the group onto your hen.

You can add another hen to your flock, but the new hen will then be in the same situation as your present hen - low hen in the pecking order. In fact, it will disrupt your flock and have unintended consequences. Not to say you shouldn't introduce a new hen, just that it has consequences and no "happy ending" is insured.

Bonds between chickens take time to form, and it depends on the individuals, not on anything we do. Be patient. Your hen will work things out and be fine.

This.

 

[MelbaQ]

What is a sexton?

She is squatting because she wants to be bred----she is lonely for a mate!!