i somehow acquired 2 runaways and i have questions. please help

[Mother of Chaos]

You wrote that Louise is being greedy, and I do see what you meant about the tossed treats, etc.

Do you have more than one feed bowl and waterer, and how far away are they from one another? I know that sounds ridiculous for just two hens, but it sounds like Louise might be resource-hoarding??

 

[pollipazzi]

she just ran over to thelma like "hello, long lost friend!" what a nutcase.

i have 2 feeders not because of that. but because before when they were being broody, i read they shouldn't have layer feed if they are not laying. so i got some chick crumb. there's always oyster shell in the run, but i put layer feed in one feeder and chick crumb in the other. so they can choose. they don't touch the layer feed much now.
she seems to share just fine with the food and water. and if i give them a treat in a container. like scrambled egg or something. but if it’s a scattered treat, it's like she rushes around trying to get it all before thelma can have any.

if i feed them by hand, she forces her way to the front and tries not to let thelma get any. so i close my hand and open it for thelma to get some before i let her have more.
she's been eating like a pig.
usually it's thelma that's the hungry one

 

[pollipazzi]

oh and i have a second waterer between their outside big pot and their favorite bench. but that doesn't seem to be an issue

 

[pollipazzi]

now look. it’s like nothing's happened.

 

[McChooky]

Don’t. Nnoises of children, cars, many animals … etc, are just part of our lives wherever you live. Chickens are not louder than dogs or crying babies.

I used to help feed my friends chickens when we was growing up.The more chickens you have the louder it is.LOl

 

[pollipazzi]

i feel like thelma is in a narcissistic relationship

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Really, what IS normal?

 

[pollipazzi]

Really, what IS normal?

best movie ever.

 

[McChooky]

aw, thanks! i will attach a photo, and hopefully you’ll be able to see what i plan to do. there is a space in my garden between two sheds that i put the coop in. i want to fence off the top and front with a proper door. it’s protected on 3 sides, which is why i picked that spot. we have foxes coming around sometimes. the in between sheds space is about 6feet wide by 9 feet long.
i know it’s not the best type of coop but this was all sort of thrown upon me and i did what i could as fast as i could. i did get the one advertised for 4 chickens instead of 2 because i learned they are smaller than they say.
i have been reading a lot and watching a lot of videos. i got them layered pellet feed that i have in one of those plastic feeders under the coop in the covered area, and a water one too. and i got a little thing that i attached in under the coop on the fencing that has grit mixed with oyster shell stuff. they also use the birdbath i have in the garden to drink and i give them treats of meal worms and sunflower seeds. i try giving them kitchen scraps but they couldn’t be bothered (i have a whole cabbage and a watermelon taking up fridge space that i bought just for them but they refused. lol!) they seem to prefer grass and bugs. they knock on my door and peek in the windows if i’m not out there with them.

i was thinking that after being cooped up with crazy thelma for 6 days, she just needed some alone time.
please excuse the mess. it’s a work in progress. oh! i have sand at the bottom of the run now and will probably get some wood chips to throw in there. and we will move the stones and fill the whole lot with the same.
thank you for your advice!

Cuteness!

 

[pollipazzi]

Cuteness!

welcome to this crazy thread, mcchooky!