Brief history: I picked up eight birds yesterday from someone reducing her flock. Six of one kind, thought they were Easter Eggers but I got a brown egg from them this morning, and two that I think are Brahmas, which will be shown in the pictures. The one I call the Gold Brahma was the bottom bird in her old home. Here, she stands with her head in the corner, bum out, almost with a "Pick Me" sign on her. The feather-hungry birds of the other breed do just that. I have separated her and her Dark Brahma friend who lets her hide behind her, just so they can have some peace while I figure out the big picture with them. The ten questions in the sticky are answered here:
1. Breed Gold Brahma? with featherless feet; pre-laying, I'm told; about 3 lbs but it was awkward weighing her. She's quite small.
2. As noted, lowest in pecking order as reported by previous owner; stands hunched with head in corner; allows/offers her tail to be pecked; doesn't defend herself but occasionally squawks when pecked. Hides behind Dark Brahma friend, who stands stoically in front of her.
3. I don't notice any physical trauma besides missing feathers and blood spots from picking. (I have ordered Blu-Kote.)
4. Cause, if psychological--perpetual bullying? If physical...I don't know.
5. I put the feed dish under her nose while separately confined, and she did a quick peck-gobble as if afraid she'd be caught or punished. (My interpretation.) As if she'd come from a rough jail. I haven't SEEN her drink water, but there was so much gone from the dish overnight, her confinement friend couldn't have drunk it all herself.
6. Poop: little in the kennel, but all appears normal.
7. Separated with pal, darkened quarters, fresh water, layer feed (all I have at the moment; haven't any grower, wasn't expecting pre-laying birds); crushed high-protein dog kibble as stop-gap protein source for new feathers; cabbage bits for a treat, which at least one of them has been eating.
8. I prefer home treatment, as it is the only reasonable option.
9. pic will be below when I can get the hang of uploading--will try in about an hour; have errand to run immediately.
10. Bedding here is on fresh pine shavings in a clean dog carrier. At previous owners, on dirt run and what appeared to be a dirt-floored coop with up to 50 other birds.
Have you any idea whether this is physical, psychological, or both? Anything particular I should do, like once quarantined, try placing them with my Red Susses Cross girls who SEEM more mellow, not given to picking?
1. Breed Gold Brahma? with featherless feet; pre-laying, I'm told; about 3 lbs but it was awkward weighing her. She's quite small.
2. As noted, lowest in pecking order as reported by previous owner; stands hunched with head in corner; allows/offers her tail to be pecked; doesn't defend herself but occasionally squawks when pecked. Hides behind Dark Brahma friend, who stands stoically in front of her.
3. I don't notice any physical trauma besides missing feathers and blood spots from picking. (I have ordered Blu-Kote.)
4. Cause, if psychological--perpetual bullying? If physical...I don't know.
5. I put the feed dish under her nose while separately confined, and she did a quick peck-gobble as if afraid she'd be caught or punished. (My interpretation.) As if she'd come from a rough jail. I haven't SEEN her drink water, but there was so much gone from the dish overnight, her confinement friend couldn't have drunk it all herself.
6. Poop: little in the kennel, but all appears normal.
7. Separated with pal, darkened quarters, fresh water, layer feed (all I have at the moment; haven't any grower, wasn't expecting pre-laying birds); crushed high-protein dog kibble as stop-gap protein source for new feathers; cabbage bits for a treat, which at least one of them has been eating.
8. I prefer home treatment, as it is the only reasonable option.
9. pic will be below when I can get the hang of uploading--will try in about an hour; have errand to run immediately.
10. Bedding here is on fresh pine shavings in a clean dog carrier. At previous owners, on dirt run and what appeared to be a dirt-floored coop with up to 50 other birds.
Have you any idea whether this is physical, psychological, or both? Anything particular I should do, like once quarantined, try placing them with my Red Susses Cross girls who SEEM more mellow, not given to picking?
Last edited:
