Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

I'm sorry that you went through all of that. That would be awful.

Aurora has resorted to what she was like as a young pullet. She was very nasty and pecky and very mean to Maleficent. The best thing that happened to the flock was that Maleficent started laying first and passed her in the pecking order. Maleficent was able to calm her down. There is nothing to contain her now if Lilly or Hattie don't step in.


I had hoped she would make a new friend. That doesn't look like it is going to happen. I'm afraid I will regret not getting another EE.

Does she peck Sydney as much as Phyllis and Sansa? I'm wondering if she'll let up once they're laying.

 

[biophiliac]

Sad news friends..... BeeBees died in my arms tonight. Original flock New Hampshire Red.... she was a ..... true lap friend.. resperatory died so quick, I didnt have time to get her to the vet. yes im f@$@ upset!

Sorry for your loss. RIP BeeBees.

 

[ValerieJ]

I'm sorry that you went through all of that. That would be awful.

Aurora has resorted to what she was like as a young pullet. She was very nasty and pecky and very mean to Maleficent. The best thing that happened to the flock was that Maleficent started laying first and passed her in the pecking order. Maleficent was able to calm her down. There is nothing to contain her now if Lilly or Hattie don't step in.


I had hoped she would make a new friend. That doesn't look like it is going to happen. I'm afraid I will regret not getting another EE.

Sure hope she settles down a bit. She sounds like my Surly, who has mellowed out as of late. There’s still hope for the T Rex!

 

[ValerieJ]

I believe I've had grieving chickens here.

I’m sure you have. They are very social and often make best friends with a particular hen.

 

[BY Bob]

Does she peck Sydney as much as Phyllis and Sansa? I'm wondering if she'll let up once they're laying.

Aurora pulls no punches. I saw her chase Sydney today and actually grab her wing as Sydney was running.

Now saying that, Sydney is tough. She roosted tonight between Lilly and Aurora on the high roost. She jumped up between them on purpose!

That left Phyllis and Sansa together on one end of the main roost and Hattie alone on the other end.

 

[BY Bob]

View attachment 2053446
Coop materials!

 

[ValerieJ]

Aurora pulls no punches. I saw her chase Sydney today and actually grab her wing as Sydney was running.

Now saying that, Sydney is tough. She roosted tonight between Lilly and Aurora on the high roost. She jumped up between them on purpose!

That left Phyllis and Sansa together on one end of the main roost and Hattie alone on the other end.

I have heard that separating an aggressive hen in a look don't touch situation for a day or two can change this. Some folks say 2 weeks. It could be done during the day and then let everyone roost together at night. They have suggested putting up a divider in the coop run, or even using a dog crate. I have not done this, but some have had some success with it. It might be worth a try. The idea is to physically remove her from whatever position she is in and allow the others to shuffle and bond, then when she comes back in she has to work her way into the group.

I have separated Mad Hatter and have decided he will go into the fenced garden with his coop. It will not be 100% safe, but I'll do what I can to make it very difficult to get to him. It is his best chance at life right now. I hope the new circumstances, in a coop and run out of site of any of the hens, will mellow him out towards us. He is just a cockerel now, so if I can't work this out of him now, he will be a very aggressive rooster and that's not good for anyone.

Once he is on his own, I will spend a lot of time with him. He might be the first chicken I make a personal relationship with. I hope so. I really am fond of the little jerk.

 

[BY Bob]

I have heard that separating an aggressive hen in a look don't touch situation for a day or two can change this. Some folks say 2 weeks. It could be done during the day and then let everyone roost together at night. They have suggested putting up a divider in the coop run, or even using a dog crate. I have not done this, but some have had some success with it. It might be worth a try. The idea is to physically remove her from whatever position she is in and allow the others to shuffle and bond, then when she comes back in she has to work her way into the group.

I have separated Mad Hatter and have decided he will go into the fenced garden with his coop. It will not be 100% safe, but I'll do what I can to make it very difficult to get to him. It is his best chance at life right now. I hope the new circumstances, in a coop and run out of site of any of the hens, will mellow him out towards us. He is just a cockerel now, so if I can't work this out of him now, he will be a very aggressive rooster and that's not good for anyone.

Once he is on his own, I will spend a lot of time with him. He might be the first chicken I make a personal relationship with. I hope so. I really am fond of the little jerk.

I sure hope it works with Mad Hatter.

I'm going to let things play out for a while. No one has actually been hurt. I'm hoping that just maybe Sydney can bridge the gap.

 

[featherhead007]

It's raining pretty hard now. All the hens are in the coop, BeeBees buddy/sister Sunshine, was looking frantically for her. That was sad for me to watch.
Losing a bird changes the pecking order too.

 

[BY Bob]

It's raining pretty hard now. All the hens are in the coop, BeeBees buddy/sister Sunshine, was looking frantically for her. That was sad for me to watch.

That's really hard to experience.