Hens at the bottom of the pecking order

[easttxchick]

Quote:
First off, you didn't INTENTIONALLY buy meat birds so, don't you feel bad at all for getting attached to your plus sized girls.
I was at a party at my vets house 2 weeks ago and he walked me out to his coop to show me his meat birds. He said, " I had no idea how sweet these birds were. They're so much friendlier than my layers and I'm going to really have a hard time processing them."
Give them the best life you can for as long as you have them.

 

[donrae]

We had our CX in with our flock, including our grown layers, pullets and roosters. I never noticed them getting bullied, except the normal "get outta my way" peck from the big girls. Do you have enough space for everyone? And add more feeders/waterers, as mentioned. My three CX left (we got tired butchering) do range out of the coop, about fifteen feet

The eat while the others are out of the coop, then go flop in the sun, bless their hearts. I'm enjoying them more than I'd thought I would, I had only heard the bad things about them. True, they eat like crazy and poo like mad, and have bald red butts, but they're sweet.

 

[ChicksterJo]

I will agree that it is probably their personality that is getting them pecked on. I put my then 3 week olds in with my lone Marans pullet who was 9 weeks old at the time, and she pecked on the EE's constantly because they didn't fight back. They always ran off when they saw her get up, walk towards them, etc. My Delaware and Leghorns didn't get pecked on as much because they stood their ground. Now my Delaware can eat and sit with her, and these birds are 5 weeks apart in age.
I would probably try to separate your CX from the rest of your flock if they don't free-range or their run isn't big enough. If they are allowed to free-range they might avoid getting pecked on.

 

[bt03]

Everyone has 11 acres for everyone to free range. Most of them don't go that far but they do have a ton of space. I think I just have mean chickens

I did separate them last night into a makeshift pen that I added on to their shipping crate coop and they seem happier that no one could get in to get them. Poor things usually hid under my picnic table but they were walking around last night without a care in the word until they found the watermelon and plopped their chunky butts down for some chow

lol... Those two are my favorite girls and if they would live longer I'd get rid of my flock and only buy Cornish X from now on.

 

[teach1rusl]

I'm happy that your girls will get to live a normal chicken life, even if it is a shorter than normal chicken life. Multiple feed and water dishes space around the property definitely helps when bullying is involved...

 

[mywifewasonherenowiamalso]

oh and maybe less protein they wont grow so fast

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
They do love watermelon!