Illinois...

[SnootyHen]

It is just Natasha. Though the others will peck, they don't hunt them like Natasha does. Although right now, Maggie has a bright red open wound so she's probably fair game for anyone. I brought the 2 chicks inside so she can heal. I thought about putting Natasha in jail but that fresh wound is just too tempting for even the nicest of hens.

I had the big girls out free-ranging this morning and locked the babies in the run so they could eat and relax a little. One of the nicer hens wanted to go in so I let her and she left them alone. Natasha is most definitely the bully. She was nasty to the last flock of chicks too but since they were brooder chicks I was able to introduce them slowly after they were a little bigger.

They're a few days shy of 2 months old and Millie lost interest in them a couple of weeks ago. That's when the bullying got really bad because they have no protector anymore. And if they run to Millie for help, she pecks at them. She wants nothing to do with them and it's just so sad because they're vulnerable little peepy things and can't seem to catch a break.

I feel like rehoming Natasha doesn't truly solve the problem, plus I'd probably have to send someone else with her and I am not looking to give anybody up. They're all my girls! So it makes the most sense to rehome the ones that haven't really been accepted in the flock yet anyway. Plus they are still a couple of months away from laying so there would be plenty of time to acclimate to a new home without egg interruption.

Anybody want 2 sweet pullets before I post on Facebook?

Maggie's wound:

Maggie a few days ago mad that Millie wouldn't let her share the fan:

 

[SnootyHen]

Wow! That was fast! The babies have a new home in a barn with separated stalls for little ones. Their new mom is on her way here now. I'll miss them but it's just not safe here for them with Millie not interested in protecting them anymore.

 

[Faraday40]

Wow! That was fast! The babies have a new home in a barn with separated stalls for little ones. Their new mom is on her way here now. I'll miss them but it's just not safe here for them with Millie not interested in protecting them anymore.

Glad you found a happy solution.

People always ask if I have trouble giving up my baby chicks. The answer is No. It's a little sad to let them go, but when you see the delight of their new owners, the sadness is much less. Plus, it's easier to say Goodbye after a couple weeks or months than an adult chicken you've had for years.

 

[SnootyHen]

Glad you found a happy solution.

People always ask if I have trouble giving up my baby chicks. The answer is No. It's a little sad to let them go, but when you see the delight of their new owners, the sadness is much less. Plus, it's easier to say Goodbye after a couple weeks or months than an adult chicken you've had for years.

Exactly! Natasha may be a chick bully, but she's a friendly cuddly sweet girl to everyone else and I would be really sad to lose her (and whichever friend went with her). These 2 are adorable little floofs but they haven't been around long enough yet to develop personalities and a place in the flock so it's nice to see them go somewhere where they can develop into happy little hens (and not be attacked by a Russian Orloff with a distaste for babies!).

She sent me a picture of them this morning having their breakfast. She has them in with a friendly bantam to help them adjust right now and the 3 of them are in their own stall until it's time to meet the others. She lives close and goes to my cousin's feed store which I realize doesn't mean anything because it isn't like we're having play dates but I feel better knowing she's good chicken people and not some rando planning to do something terrible to them.

 

[Faraday40]

I hope everyone is finding ways to stay cool. I've been dipping Orpingtons daily. They are not made for this heat!

Anyone want to play GUESS THE GENDER? - Silkie edition!
15 weeks old hatchery quality
I brought them in for photos and baths last night.

PINK
Biggest, Leader of the 3, male-ish wider comb with slight bump
Just recently, the crest is looking very round female-ish. This is the one I always thought was male.

PURPLE
Below is the mid sized silkie. Much smaller than Pink, but also had a wider comb, that is flat. More submissive. I've been going back and forth on gender, but the size and stance made me think female. Just yesterday, I noticed a red hue in comb. Could it be flushing from the heat / stress? Pecking or rubbing injury? Looked more red after bath.

GREEN
This one started out the same size but was a failure to thrive chick for the 1st week. Since then has consistently been the smallest. Always had a narrow comb- but bumpy. Almost looks like a walnut x single comb combined. This one also has a perpetually messy crest.

 

[cavemanrich]

I have no ideas or guesses,,,,, but like the way their eyes are exposed. Do you think their fur will grow longer,, and cover their eyes more.. I would have to be taking them to the barber to have their bangs cut

 

[cavemanrich]

Natasha may be a chick bully, but she's a friendly cuddly sweet girl to everyone else and I would be really sad to lose her

I'm not Einstein,,, and no close relations ether,,,,, but have a THEORY,, derived from my long term observations of my flock.
It always seemed that the lowest pecking order member of the flock was the meanest to newcomers.
Here is the theory portion. They did not want to stay last place,,, so bullied the newcomers, trying to climb the pecking order ladder.

Where is Natasha in the pecking order,,??? top,,, middle,, or near the bottom?

Spoiler: Just for a giggle☺☺☺

 

[Faraday40]

I have no ideas or guesses,,,,, but like the way their eyes are exposed. Do you think their fur will grow longer,, and cover their eyes more.. I would have to be taking them to the barber to have their bangs cut

They are bearded & muffed so we don't see eyes often - just poof. You can see their eyes when:
- They are chicks
- They are wet
- They are molting
- They have ponytails (and yes DD does that often)
and
- The camera is at eye level

 

[SnootyHen]

I'm not Einstein,,, and no close relations ether,,,,, but have a THEORY,, derived from my long term observations of my flock.
It always seemed that the lowest pecking order member of the flock was the meanest to newcomers.
Here is the theory portion. They did not want to stay last place,,, so bullied the newcomers, trying to climb the pecking order ladder.

Where is Natasha in the pecking order,,??? top,,, middle,, or near the bottom?

Spoiler: Just for a giggle☺☺☺

View attachment 3158980

You are absolutely correct. She's near the bottom. Natasha and Wanda Beth are the lowest hens and the biggest bullies with new chicks. And Wanda Beth is a little bit of a chick bully too but she's too nervous to be as savage as Natasha is. You can see her sneak-attack when she gets the chance but she backs off very quickly.

 

[Faraday40]

@cavemanrich

Here's the pic I was looking for. Remember when I said you can see a silkie's eyes when they molt.....

Spoiler: Mai Mai's molt

Look! My silkie is now a naked neck and a zombie!