Frightened chicken that runs away

[addietief]

A week ago we bought a new rooster. All the hens adapted except one. The rooster keeps mounting her and she runs away. All week she has been huddling in a corner of the coop, not interacting with any of the other hens or rooster. She eats and drinks, but if you go near her, she makes a scared noise and runs away. She disappeared again today and hopefully we will find her before nightfall. She used to sleep next to the previous rooster. Could she miss him? That still doesn't explain her frightened behavior and wanting to be by herself. Any ideas please? We really don't want to lose her or leave her out overnight because we can't find her.

 

[Whispering_Raven]

How old is your hen?

 

[addietief]

I believe two or three years.

 

[Den in Penn]

It is likely that she is one of the lower ranked hens. With the old rooster running interference for her she was fine. Paying him back by being his friend. With the old one gone her world has gotten much more frightening.

 

[addietief]

could be. It does make sense. She and the other rooster slept together and I can't remember if they were always together or not during the day. So if you are right, how do we get her up in rank and have everyone like her. Fred just mounts her and leaves and the hens ignore her. She takes off during the day and comes back at night, thank goodness. I need to be a chicken psychologist.

 

[Den in Penn]

You can't help her in the rankings. Chickens don't allow much outside interference with their Pecking Order. She will have to find her own way. That will take time and maybe something disturbing the Order. I know we interfere when we remove bullies and reintroduce injured birds, but in both cases the bird has to ultimately make is own way back into the order.

 

[Featherland]

There is a way to increase her ranking. You give her extra attention. Give only her treats. Pick her up and hold her if she allows.