distraught about sudden change in chicken behavior at 20 weeks.

[Charlotte chicken mama]

I have four easter egg chickens that were raised together since birth. Today three have started relentlessly picking on one. They chase her and squawk at her and peck her. I don't know what to do. I don't have the facilities to separate them. I have also noticed that the picked on girl has different tail feathers than the other girls, but she doesn't look like a rooster. Would the hens all pick on a rooster???


Here is a picture of Mable, the picked on one. She is the white and black. Notice her tail feathers.

Additionally all the girls have started making the loudest racket I have ever heard. My neighbors are going to hate me. I have never heard such squawking. Any ideas?

Thank you so much for your help.
Amanda

 

[mgw]

I am not an expert on EEs but it looks like apullet to me but dont take my word for gospel. Chickens are strange , It might be that they are coming to maturity and are working out the pecking order. Just keep an eye on her if you see blood take her out quickly. She is sadly the bottom of the order, but at least she has a spot.
P.S this is normal behavier in the chicken world.

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Chickens are weird creatures, truly. After years of keeping chickens (or do they keep me? That's still up for debate.) they still do things all the time that surprise me and leave me going..."huh?".

At 20 wks, they are getting really close to laying, those hormones are raging. I would attribute their "mean girl" attitude to that, as well as all the racket they're making. (Or maybe your girl was talking smack behind the other girl's backs?

)

I agree with mgw, leave them alone and let them figure it their issues. Only pull her out if you see blood (and if they do, pull her out quick!!), otherwise by keeping her isolated, you're only going to create more problems when you try to reintroduce.

Good luck!!

ETA:

I'm guessing from your name, you're a fellow North Carolinian!!

 

[Charlotte chicken mama]

Thank you so much for both your posts. You have put my stressed out mind to ease. I guess the silver lining is that they may lay soon which would be AWESOME.

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
x2! Great info!