/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    Not a member yet? join BYC here & then introduce yourself in our community forum here.

Hello

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Chezzy, Jul 29, 2014.

Most Liked Posts
Page 1 of 2
  1. Jul 29, 2014 #1
    Chezzy

    Chezzy In the Brooder

    40
    1
    24
    Jul 29, 2014
    I have just got 2 Rhode Island reds. , we've named tem , bluebell and lavender , lavender is very dominant, to the point , she keeps moving the poor bluebell on, every time she finds something nice to scrat, will this get better, Will. They eventually be kind of friends, my hubby is a farmer , and has chickens for commercial eggs, but I am totally new to this, they've stopped laying as well, I'm sure I'm doing somthing wrong, hubby reckons I'm giving too many treats, and they are too full to eat there layers pellets,
    Nice to meet you all, please give a little newbie novice , some advice, xxx:)
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. Jul 29, 2014 #2
    Mountain Peeps

    Mountain Peeps Change is inevitable, like the seasons Premium Member

    28,424
    5,046
    626
    Apr 23, 2014
    Colorado
    My Coop
    Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

    Hens can stop laying for a number of reasons. They aren't receiving the right nutrition, they are stressed, it's very cold or hot, they are molting or they are just taking a break. But, yes, too many treats can cause them to slow down. Treats should only take up 10% of their diet. Make sure they have calcium and layer feed.

    Be sure to check out our learning center.
    https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

    Glad you joined best wishes with your flock. Love their names!:)
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2014
  3. Jul 29, 2014 #3
    Kelsie2290

    Kelsie2290 Free Ranging Premium Member

    36,683
    4,756
    566
    Feb 18, 2011
    Ohio
    Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! If you just got them recently, chickens don't like change, and stress like moving to a new home will very often stop them laying for a time, if everything else is OK, they will usually start up again in a couple of weeks or a month or so (if they don't go into a molt). Here is a nice thread with discussions on various reasons chickens aren't laying https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/423023/why-arent-my-chickens-laying-here-are-your-answers
    Chickens will always have a pecking order, and it just sounds like Lavender is your dominant hen, as long as she isn't being mean to the point of drawing blood on BlueBell and is letting her eat/drink and roost at night, at this point you probably just want to leave them work it out.
    Good luck with your flock, hope you do get some eggs soon!
     
  4. Jul 29, 2014 #4
    Michael OShay

    Michael OShay Crowing

    25,581
    2,227
    438
    May 14, 2014
    Montana
    Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. You've given your hens some cute names. You've also received some good advice and links from Mountain Peeps and Kelsie2290. Please feel free to ask any more questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.
     
  5. Jul 29, 2014 #5
    petrel

    petrel Chats with Chickens 5 Years

    1,223
    81
    176
    Aug 4, 2013
    Spotsylvania, Virginia
    My Coop
    Welcome to BYC...looks like you've gotten the advice you requested. Thanks for joining!
     
  6. Jul 29, 2014 #6
    TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Bird is the Word Staff Member Premium Member 7 Years

    34,802
    18,547
    1,042
    Mar 21, 2011
    New Mexico, USA
    My Coop
    Hello there and welcome to BYC! [​IMG]

    Definitely slow down on the treats as not only will this stop them from laying, but laying is very draining on the system of a chicken. All the building blocks of life are contained in an egg and if a hen is not getting it from her food, she takes it from her body. Chickens require the best diet they can possibly have to be healthy. So make sure they are eating enough of their layer feed. Treats once or twice a day only.

    As for the pecking order, make sure you have enough feeders and waterers out so the lowest birds get enough to eat and drink. Make sure they have plenty of room for personal space and to escape each other. If the bully persists, you may need to use pinless peepers on her or even give her some time outs in a cage once in a while. I am doing this with my flock leader as I just mixed in some chicks and at certain times of day, she is a handful and the chicks are not being allowed to be chicks with her attitude. So she gets a time out in the cage for a couple hours a day.

    Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!
     
  7. Jul 30, 2014 #7
    gander007

    gander007 Crowing

    15,472
    1,115
    436
    Oct 9, 2013
    South Western Death Valley, Ca.
    [​IMG]Great to have you joining the BYC flock [​IMG]
     
  8. Jul 30, 2014 #8
    sumi

    sumi Égalité Staff Member Premium Member 7 Years

    37,444
    12,061
    1,047
    Jun 28, 2011
    Rep of Ireland
    Welcome to BYC [​IMG] Glad you joined us! Treats and extras should never be more than 10% of the chicken's total food intake, no matter how nicely they ask [​IMG]
     
  9. Aug 2, 2014 #9
    drumstick diva

    drumstick diva Still crazy after all these years. Premium Member 9 Years

    101,430
    64,677
    1,587
    Aug 26, 2009
    Out to pasture
    Welcome to BYC, I know I wouldn't make a good chicken - I'd want nothing but treats
     
  10. Aug 2, 2014 #10
    Chezzy

    Chezzy In the Brooder

    40
    1
    24
    Jul 29, 2014
    Thank you for the welcome everyone, I have given a lot less treats, just a few grapes anda handful of mealworm, ( boy do they love mealworm) things are a lot better, lavender has started to lay again, yippeeeeee and instead of giving poor bluebell nasty pecks and gaurding food, she just gives her : the stare: then let's her eat when she,s finished,
    I am learning so much from them, and loving it xx:cd
     
Page 1 of 2

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: