Im a bit sad

[Altairsky]

This is Henni at her new spot.

She's in a chicken paradise. Leave her live her chicken life free, and together with good roosters who can mate her and protect the flock.
Bare backs don't bother chickens.
Are you sure that she would be happy to live her life penned alone in a coop? Confined and alone? Chickens are happy when they're free. Happy chickens don't have bullying problems, think about it.
Do you really think a person would be happy to live in a prison so they can be sure they'll never be in a car crash? Or is it better to be free and do what you want, eat what you want, go where you want, even if you might die in a plane/car accident? Better live 100 years in a cage or 50 years in total freedom?

 

[SkyAJK]

So I just feel sad. I had one hen bullying others. Thought it was best to find her a new home. But I’m sad. It’s been a week. I’m thinking about going and getting her back. I know where she lives now. Others say she must be happy with nearly 200 hens and roosters and a huge area to be in. But the fence isn’t secure. The hens have a lot of feathers missing. Some terribly. Not much shade or cover. (I spoiled my birds terribly). Friends tell me she is happy with all other chickens. When I go to check on her I saw a rooster on her both times. Maybe she likes a boyfriend others say. But the hens hardly have any feathers. I worry about winter coming.
My Significant other is agitated with me but I am sad to let her go. Next chance I have to go get her is Thursday. I may go get her. How can I think of her all winter maybe not in a warm home. no one seems to understand that I miss her and no one seems to care. But I do. If I bring her home I will set up a separate coop and run. It just gets so cold I wish she could be in the big shed with the others. But she would be safe and would be warm as I could make it. She would have straw to kick around and good food to eat.

My view is that if you are suffering like now because of your worried she is not cared for, your worry will not go away. You will do what you need to do to live with/be at peace yourself.

Keep in mind that when you do bring her back, you will have a lot of work to settle her back in and work on her bullying issue. Because she has been out with a large flock, you will also need to consider quarantine her so that she does not bring any ill health to your current flock.

I wish you all the best and my heart goes to you and your hen.

I was in your situation and I worried for a whole month, I woke up at night worried about the rooster I gave away, I prayed for him during the night, during the day for the whole month that I gave him away. I felt something was not right. I took him back home and he was very sick, they did not care for him. But I was happy that he was home and so was he.

 

[Zobot0110]

I guess I will leave her alone

 

[Bsmac]

I guess I will leave her alone

I had an easter egger that was raised as a chick with other chicks several were Black Jersey Giants. From day one she did not like one of the BJG`s the one I named Blue. At the time it was our first flock. She bullied Blue every little bit. As a rookie I wasn`t too worried about it. I should have been! It went on and on. One day I heard a commotion in the run and the easter egger was standing on Blue pecking the crap out of her. I got her out of the run on my lap where she was alive but limp. With no visible wounds... She died on my lap a few minuets later... She was absolutely the sweetest bird, she was a lap chicken from a chick. Just a little over a year old when she passed... I am still broken hearted over her going on two years ago. I felt it was my fault because I did not intervene! I rehomed the bully, but I even feel guilty about that! So, I understand your dilemma! Your bird looks like an ISA Brown. I will say they are on the aggressive side to other birds below them in the pecking order.

 

[Zobot0110]

I had an easter egger that was raised as a chick with other chicks several were Black Jersey Giants. From day one she did not like one of the BJG`s the one I named Blue. At the time it was our first flock. She bullied Blue every little bit. As a rookie I wasn`t too worried about it. I should have been! It went on and on. One day I heard a commotion in the run and the easter egger was standing on Blue pecking the crap out of her. I got her out of the run on my lap where she was alive but limp. With no visible wounds... She died on my lap a few minuets later... She was absolutely the sweetest bird, she was a lap chicken from a chick. Just a little over a year old when she passed... I am still broken hearted over her going on two years ago. I felt it was my fault because I did not intervene! I rehomed the bully, but I even feel guilty about that! So, I understand your dilemma! Your bird looks like an ISA Brown. I will say they are on the aggressive side to other birds below them in the pecking order.

I’m so sorry that happened. How heart breaking. You did what you could. hugs to you.

I guess I need to let her go and let her be a chicken and do her own thing. I guess it worries me as the winters are so cold but nothing I can really do I guess. I didn’t know I could love a chicken!!! But I definitely can.

 

[Zobot0110]

My view is that if you are suffering like now because of your worried she is not cared for, your worry will not go away. You will do what you need to do to live with/be at peace yourself.

Keep in mind that when you do bring her back, you will have a lot of work to settle her back in and work on her bullying issue. Because she has been out with a large flock, you will also need to consider quarantine her so that she does not bring any ill health to your current flock.

I wish you all the best and my heart goes to you and your hen.

I was in your situation and I worried for a whole month, I woke up at night worried about the rooster I gave away, I prayed for him during the night, during the day for the whole month that I gave him away. I felt something was not right. I took him back home and he was very sick, they did not care for him. But I was happy that he was home and so was he.

Thank you for writing. I did not know that having chickens would be so emotional! But I love them as much as I do any of my other pets.
I understand why you worried about your rooster. And also many others don’t understand. I’m glad you took him back home. I’m going to check on mine tomorrow and just assess the situation. Our winters are very cold here and that just worries me.

 

[Zobot0110]

Thank you everyone. I am glad to have this site and people to talk to and help sorting out things.

 

[Bsmac]

I’m so sorry that happened. How heart breaking. You did what you could. hugs to you.

I guess I need to let her go and let her be a chicken and do her own thing. I guess it worries me as the winters are so cold but nothing I can really do I guess. I didn’t know I could love a chicken!!! But I definitely can.

Thank you. I love all of our chickens! They each have such individual personalities and are such characters! I even loved the bully Easter Egger but I could`nt stand it knowing what she did! An Amish friend of mine raises chickens several times a year he takes birds to a local swap meet. He took her for me she sold almost immediately. A women saw her and was very excited to get her. She was a very beautiful and very healthy bird. She got along with everyone but Blue! I know this sounds funny but I truly believe the bullying was from jealousy! I have seen jealousy many times with our birds! As both were lap chickens!

 

[Mrs. K]

I bet your remaining flock is not sad! It is hard and miserable to have chickens bullied. It was a good decision to put her in that bigger flock. Not every bird likes or tolerates being kept pampered. Personally I enjoy my flock so much more when there is peace in the flock!

As for the other place, a lot of chickens look like hell this time of year as they are going from through the molt. What I see is a thriving chicken community in a lot of lovely space. Those birds look alert, active and content.

Looking at your pictures, that type of bird needs a lot more space. Spoiling does not make up for a lack of space. That bird IMO will be miserable in a smaller set up all alone. She looked happy as can be where she is. Space to run, other birds for company.

And birds hate change. She looks well adjusted, leave her. I think she is happier in a bigger set up. You might be sad, but she isn’t. You really want what is best for the bird.

Mrs K

 

[Zobot0110]

Thank you so much.