I got a bit of a scare while sitting out in the run today.

Bokalina had always been low in the pecking order. I was just watching them preen, and dust bathe, and stuff like that. I saw many hens walking by Bokalina and picking her feathers out. The new pin feathers were just stubs now because the others picked them out. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong! They have the high protein feed, they have grass, they have some cooked meat... They won't touch any of it except for the grass! But they pick each others feathers out! Bokalina was so desperate she tried picking out some of Arwen's butt fluff. Arwen was like no thank you I like my butt fluff and moved away.

And then I looked at Tomatilla, who was standing beside her daughter Blueberry The Complainer. Blueberry is BIGGER than Tomatilla. I think Tomatilla is the smallest hen in the flock. I hadn't noticed it till now.

I let Bokalina free range with Little Bananas and just left Tomatilla. Not sure what to do about her. But they are getting the layer feed (18% protein) and high protein feed (21% protein) I give them a mash bucket full of grower/chick feed mash.

Is there anything I'm doing wrong?
 
I need y'all's help!!! Is this a specific breed? Look at how gorgeous it it! He is literally the coloest rooster I've seen all day (don't tell Darcy) I'm actually wondering if this is a Ayam cemani mixed with a silver laced, but what do you all think?
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He is very pretty. Looks a little like Sir Cuckoo. I would think that he's mixed breed but @rural mouse seems to be the expert on chicken breeds and genetics around here.
 
I got a bit of a scare while sitting out in the run today.

Bokalina had always been low in the pecking order. I was just watching them preen, and dust bathe, and stuff like that. I saw many hens walking by Bokalina and picking her feathers out. The new pin feathers were just stubs now because the others picked them out. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong! They have the high protein feed, they have grass, they have some cooked meat... They won't touch any of it except for the grass! But they pick each others feathers out! Bokalina was so desperate she tried picking out some of Arwen's butt fluff. Arwen was like no thank you I like my butt fluff and moved away.

And then I looked at Tomatilla, who was standing beside her daughter Blueberry The Complainer. Blueberry is BIGGER than Tomatilla. I think Tomatilla is the smallest hen in the flock. I hadn't noticed it till now.

I let Bokalina free range with Little Bananas and just left Tomatilla. Not sure what to do about her. But they are getting the layer feed (18% protein) and high protein feed (21% protein) I give them a mash bucket full of grower/chick feed mash.

Is there anything I'm doing wrong?
I don't think so, this is just something chickens do to assert dominance. I would probably keep a close eye on her though. Maybe move her into a different run or keep her in a large dog crate of some kind.
 

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