Poor Stormy.
Ive had my 7 birds since middle of September. When I got them, 5 of them were 14 weeks, and the two smaller ones were 12 weeks. The two smaller ones (Stormy and Snowflake)hung out together and slept on the barn floor for a month, then made it up to the roost.
Stormy and Snowflake werent laying yet and the others were- they had started laying around December. Then in January, Snowflake started to lay, too. So now Stormy is still not laying, and is all by herself. There are 3 birds that dont peck at her or chase her, but there are 3 who do. They wont ALWAYS peck her, but if she tries to eat before them or while they are still eating- watch out! Nothing vicious, but they will do a peck and then chase her a bit. She is a real sweetie (wimp). She likes to be hand fed, lets my kids hold her, pet her, etc....
I recently had her in the house for 2 days to soak her butt repeatedly- she had compacted rock hard stool in her vent, (some of it is still there, but she was able to have 3 soaks, and I got a good part of it) -- she was also able to eat lots of yogurt/organic feed mix, which she liked. I've returned her to the flock, and she did seem much more confident, but I'm wondering what is to be done with a bird like this- not laying eggs, bottom of pecking order, "failure to thrive" is a term that comes to mind.
I wont breed her- but - how can I give her a full life/help her reach her potential?
Ok, that sounded ridiculous... but... maybe you guys know what I mean... some of you are a bit nuts too, yes?
Is there any way to help her get to the middle of the flock-- or will that happen naturally when I introduce new chicks Ill be raising this April.....?
Space is not an issue- their coop is 13x11 and when they don't free range all day (due to snow!) they have another 20x20 in the barn all to themselves.
Ive had my 7 birds since middle of September. When I got them, 5 of them were 14 weeks, and the two smaller ones were 12 weeks. The two smaller ones (Stormy and Snowflake)hung out together and slept on the barn floor for a month, then made it up to the roost.
Stormy and Snowflake werent laying yet and the others were- they had started laying around December. Then in January, Snowflake started to lay, too. So now Stormy is still not laying, and is all by herself. There are 3 birds that dont peck at her or chase her, but there are 3 who do. They wont ALWAYS peck her, but if she tries to eat before them or while they are still eating- watch out! Nothing vicious, but they will do a peck and then chase her a bit. She is a real sweetie (wimp). She likes to be hand fed, lets my kids hold her, pet her, etc....
I recently had her in the house for 2 days to soak her butt repeatedly- she had compacted rock hard stool in her vent, (some of it is still there, but she was able to have 3 soaks, and I got a good part of it) -- she was also able to eat lots of yogurt/organic feed mix, which she liked. I've returned her to the flock, and she did seem much more confident, but I'm wondering what is to be done with a bird like this- not laying eggs, bottom of pecking order, "failure to thrive" is a term that comes to mind.
I wont breed her- but - how can I give her a full life/help her reach her potential?
Ok, that sounded ridiculous... but... maybe you guys know what I mean... some of you are a bit nuts too, yes?
Is there any way to help her get to the middle of the flock-- or will that happen naturally when I introduce new chicks Ill be raising this April.....?
Space is not an issue- their coop is 13x11 and when they don't free range all day (due to snow!) they have another 20x20 in the barn all to themselves.
