Gimpy bantam being shunned and attacked!

[Chicksandhorsesandogsohmy]

OK, settle in for a story. I have had chickens on my property for 5 years. I have added new chicks each year. Due to predators, life and other things I am at 14 chickens and 2 rooster's right now. Having 2 roosters is another story but they have split the flock up and everybody gets along pretty well. I have 2 frizzled bantams that are 3 that don't really hang out with anybody. The lower rooster tends to them but one of the 2 is crippled. She was given to me free at the Co-Op because during shipping she hurt her leg. She grew up just fine and gets along with a little bit of a limp and her name is Lurch. She's always been a little out of an outcast but has done ok on her own just near the flock. Now that he is mature, the lead rooster has been picking on her, which I understand, she is the weakest one in the flock. Lately though everybody has been beating up on her. I found her today cowering underneath our lawn mower while 5 of the hens were pecking on her. My chickens are free range but do go into a barn area and have nesting boxes in there. I also have a coop from when I ridiculously thought Id only have a few chickens? lol I think everybody has been there. The nesting boxes there though are too high for her to get into with her leg so I can't just lock her up in there. Also there's the issue of them being social. I have eggs that are incubating and will have babies in a week or 2 so I tend to let her raise them as she is very broody and nurturing. That being said any suggestions on what to do with her for the next week or 2 until she has her own little flock? I have her in a large Why are crate at the moment. She can see everybody and is outside but even in the crate, my older ladies are coming up and eyeballing her in there. Like I said, she has always been on her ownand is very very content in her little spot because she knows she's safe. I don't think she will have huge problems for a couple of weeks but I am looking for other suggestions too. I am home all the time a d I will let her out and she'll be able to run around, I'm mainly thinking about the night time and when I have to run to town. If I lose her it will hurt as I nursed her a lot as a baby and we have a good bond. I love all my ladies but shes special.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Bantams will often get bullied by large breeds. Frizzle cochins especially are tender chickens that are best kept with other bantams. I would definitely protect her and maybe get her some chicks or eggs if she goes broody so she can have her own flock. My bantams can range but they have their own coop and run to fall back to because the big breeds can get rough with them. I suggest you put together a separate place for her and keep her protected, especially since she's being bullied.

 

[Chicksandhorsesandogsohmy]

Bantams will often get bullied by large breeds. Frizzle cochins especially are tender chickens that are best kept with other bantams. I would definitely protect her and maybe get her some chicks or eggs if she goes broody so she can have her own flock. My bantams can range but they have their own coop and run to fall back to because the big breeds can get rough with them. I suggest you put together a separate place for her and keep her protected, especially since she's being bullied.

Thanks for the input and I am working on her own spot. Its the new roo thats causingnissue, i believe. She has lived with these same chickens and another roo with no issues til now. The frizzle roo was taken by a hawk in fall and now that the polish roo is lead im seeing issues. I dont have the heart to put him in the pot but he may be rehomed if it starts with others.