Bruster Rooster
In the Brooder
I have 4 pullets, who are the same age & were raised together. ( 2 Dominiques, 1 Plymouth Rock, & 1 Buff Orphanton. They are in a small coop, with sufficient room & a single roost (also with sufficient space but I don't have the room to put in a 2nd one). The Plymouth Rock is the dominate pullet & can be very bossy. We have 2 nests in one end of the coop, through a small archway for privacy. Since we had an extra nest. we placed it in the main coop, in front of the roost & only the Plymouth Rock uses it. We had no problem until after the pullets started laying. They all hopped on the roost, slept the night & no problems. After they started laying, it has been nothing but problems at roosting time. The Plymouth Rock gets on the roost first, is very loud & aggressive & will not allow the others to roost. Therefore, for over a month, I have had to force the Plymouth Rock to the end, while I place all the others myself. As soon as I get them placed & shut the door, the Plymouth Rock gets quiet & no more problems until the next roosting time.
Could it be that the Plymouth Rock is possessive of the nest & that is the problem? If so, why doesn't she get all out of whack during each day when the others are going in & out to lay? There is a fake egg in her nest so maybe she thinks that is her egg & she is protecting it? I doubt that is the problem, but tonight it won't be there. I'm a little hesitant to take the nest out, because that is the only one she will use & it could really cause a problem for the pullets, who are using the other 2 nests? The only one, who tried to use her nest was subjected to a lot of pecking & even with the Plymouth Rock stomping all over her. I'm also very hesitant about the idea of getting rid of the Plymouth Rock because she is a big beautiful one, who is a good layer. It also doesn't help that, at a very early age, she began flying up on my arm to eat out of my hand & still does so. I know some of you chicken lovers understand that.
Any suggestions as to likely solutions, will be greatly appreciated.
Could it be that the Plymouth Rock is possessive of the nest & that is the problem? If so, why doesn't she get all out of whack during each day when the others are going in & out to lay? There is a fake egg in her nest so maybe she thinks that is her egg & she is protecting it? I doubt that is the problem, but tonight it won't be there. I'm a little hesitant to take the nest out, because that is the only one she will use & it could really cause a problem for the pullets, who are using the other 2 nests? The only one, who tried to use her nest was subjected to a lot of pecking & even with the Plymouth Rock stomping all over her. I'm also very hesitant about the idea of getting rid of the Plymouth Rock because she is a big beautiful one, who is a good layer. It also doesn't help that, at a very early age, she began flying up on my arm to eat out of my hand & still does so. I know some of you chicken lovers understand that.
Any suggestions as to likely solutions, will be greatly appreciated.
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