Dotty hen being mean to Rosa hen. No ryme no reason

[Feathers Brady]

Hi oldhenlikesdogs! . The run is 25 x 8 ft. Thats attached to the coop building. They shuttle down a hallway to go from coop to run. The coop is twice as wide. Theres plenty to occupy these ladies, swings, perches, bottled scratch toys, daily watermelon or squash, they feed on layer pellets, oyster shell, grit, waterers are fresh and cool most always. Not showing alot of molting with five other hens , Rosa could be starting I'm not sure. I'm just watching them close for now and see what changes happen as long as they don't get too mean twards her. Tonight Rosa took the roost early and everyone else stayed to the opposite end but same height. So she's alone again tonight. Thanks for your advise , appreciated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

With them being fed a layer and lots of extras they could be developing a protein deficiency at their age. Couldn't hurt to try a higher protein feed for a while to see if it helps. I recommend something with 20-22% for a while, especially through the molting months. You could also try some protein packed treats like cottage cheese, scrambled eggs and canned fish to see if it helps. Otherwise it sounds like their housing is adequate.

 

[Feathers Brady]

Cottage cheese for tomorrow on the menu! I'll keep you posted .

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If nothing else they will be happy chickens for a bit. Mine love cottage cheese.

 

[Feathers Brady]

Welllll.....the girls did not care much for cottage cheese. Scrambled eggs won hands down! The husband says our feed is 22%
The pecking order I believe has changed leaving rosa still on the bottom rung. But, Dotty seems to be miss boss of the applesauce over Harriet who has been captain for a long long time. The picking on Rosa has calmed but Rosa still acts nervous with Dotty when she's near. Ohhh well, chickens will be chickens!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Welllll.....the girls did not care much for cottage cheese. Scrambled eggs won hands down! The husband says our feed is 22%
The pecking order I believe has changed leaving rosa still on the bottom rung. But, Dotty seems to be miss boss of the applesauce over Harriet who has been captain for a long long time. The picking on Rosa has calmed but Rosa still acts nervous with Dotty when she's near. Ohhh well, chickens will be chickens!

Pinless peepers is another option if things don't calm down. I guess my chickens love cottage cheese because we are in Wisconsin, the dairy state.

 

[CannedMonster]

Out of four pullets I started, the red sex link was dominant and the 3 SL Wyandottes were lower.
The lowest, Penelope, one day decided to challenge Red but wasn’t successful.
She did however make herself in second place and never let the other two forget it.
All 3 turned out to be quite the mean girls club and were rehomed to a friends flock of many more mature birds.

 

[Feathers Brady]

I have no knowledge of pinless peepers. Call me slow! Lol!
What are they? Or is it?
Also hoping Wisconsin' isn't getting this 90 degree heat we have here in central illinois. No fun for the hens.
I have two misters running, iced the waterers down twice so far and dropped shade cloths on the south side of they're run . Three out of six are nested down in the damp soil and two are sitting in the coop doorway and Scarlett the smallest red lady is on the move as usual. It's going to be a long week!

 

[Feathers Brady]

Thanks chooksNQuilts for the run down, I'm sure it's all normal but I'm very suprised Harriet allowed it, she's always been the most vocal of them too, and now not so much. Harriet and Dotty are both barred rock. Scarlett and Rosa are new Hampshire reds. The two buff orps , Clara and charlotte tend to steer clear of dottys battle the past few days. In the beginning they would follow Dotty's lead and go after Rosa as well. So, whatever changed has past. Unless the heat slowed they're roll. Time will tell.

 

[Feathers Brady]

Ah ha!! I see the pinless peepers now!
I had no idea they existed!
Sure wouldn't hurt to give them a try if things get heated again . Thanks again oldhenlikesdogs!