76972clb
Chirping
I Shadow, 2 yr old Australorp (clearly the top of the pecking order), who challenges our Mr. Rooster, 10 month old RIR. She has started challenging Mr. Rooster.
Mr. Rooster has always taken care of his hens. Very protective and loves to mate with each one of them early in the morning. Two weeks ago one of my top chickens died as from a hawk attack. He had taken the hens over to safety while she fought off the hawk. After that he has been more aggressive. He pecks at my feet and legs and even chased my daughter away. I have picked him up, talked with him in a calm voice and then put down, trying to let him know that I'm top yet loving.
The saying "he may rule the roost but I rule the roster" is Shadows tagline. Since the hawk attack, Shadow has been more aggressive towards Mr. Rooster. This am I saw lots of feathers on the ground in the coop, clearly from Shadow due to the amount of feathers that she is missing. She also challenged him beak to beak this morning.
At first glance I thought they had a go around and she lost a lot of feathers. After watching for awhile I saw her pulling her own feathers out. We have nice weather this week, NE of Dallas, but concerned for her loosing so many feathers on her neck and back in winter. She is laying. Eggs are down from 1 a day to 1 every 2 or 3 days. Please don't say that my top laying chicken is multing now.
So is my real concern is Shadow challenging Mr. Rooster, him pecking at me and her loosing feathers.
Any advice on any of these issues?
Mr. Rooster has always taken care of his hens. Very protective and loves to mate with each one of them early in the morning. Two weeks ago one of my top chickens died as from a hawk attack. He had taken the hens over to safety while she fought off the hawk. After that he has been more aggressive. He pecks at my feet and legs and even chased my daughter away. I have picked him up, talked with him in a calm voice and then put down, trying to let him know that I'm top yet loving.
The saying "he may rule the roost but I rule the roster" is Shadows tagline. Since the hawk attack, Shadow has been more aggressive towards Mr. Rooster. This am I saw lots of feathers on the ground in the coop, clearly from Shadow due to the amount of feathers that she is missing. She also challenged him beak to beak this morning.
At first glance I thought they had a go around and she lost a lot of feathers. After watching for awhile I saw her pulling her own feathers out. We have nice weather this week, NE of Dallas, but concerned for her loosing so many feathers on her neck and back in winter. She is laying. Eggs are down from 1 a day to 1 every 2 or 3 days. Please don't say that my top laying chicken is multing now.
So is my real concern is Shadow challenging Mr. Rooster, him pecking at me and her loosing feathers.
Any advice on any of these issues?