Junia, Wendell, Origen, etc :-)

[rebeccabrown72]

Welcome! Are you sure that Junia isn't a cockerel?

She definitely doesn't look like a rooster to me - but maybe she's just still young! I'm posting a recent picture below. Does she look like a roo?! Oh no!

 

[rebeccabrown72]

Can you include a picture of each bird?

I don't have a recent one of all of them just now - but I can look!

 

[rebeccabrown72]

View attachment 1564762
View attachment 1564763 Sounds like you've got a pretty flock! I'm also wondering like some others here if Junia may be not be a "she." As a leghorn breed, I'm thinking should be laying by now... and at this age, is usually when cockerels start asserting some dominance and attacking people. Post a new thread with a picture of your bird here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/what-breed-or-gender-is-this.15/
just to make sure you've got a pullet. Either way, a good trick to get chickens to stop pecking or chasing you is to hold and carry them around often. This makes them see you more as leader not to be messed with. My little girl carries our chickens around all over!

As for Daisy Mae, she could be top of the pecking order wanting to maintain her place, or she might be a bully. Pecking is normal behavior but feather picking may be a sign of stress, parasites or lack of protein. Are you certain Daisy Mae is the only one that pulled Fluffy's feather out? If by any chance Junia is a cockerel he could be overmating one chicken which causes that type of feather loss and Daisy could just be pecking that area because she looks different (just throwing out ideas). Otherwise you could try separating her, or the picked-on one for a while. This article may offer some insight: Chicken Bully/Chicken Victim

What is the salt in the water for? I've only heard of adding apple cider vinegar to their water. Or could be used to keep water from freezing in winter, or a homemade electrolyte with sugar & baking soda also added: https://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/electrolyte-drink.html Oh, if you're not already feeding a layer feed, you need to be offering a separate container of oyster shell to provide the additional calcium their bodies need to produce eggs.

Best wishes in your new chicken adventure!

Thank you for all your input! I posted a picture of Junia in reply to the other, but I'll post it again on the thread you mentioned. I have never seen Junia bug any of the other chickens — in fact, only Fluffy (the one being pecked) has pecked others every once in a while from my observation...

I read in Storeys Guide to Raising Chickens that sometimes a lack of salt can incentivize pecking.

I started giving them all layer feed about 6 weeks ago, but just switched back to finisher feed because I was afraid of a calcium build up in Junia and Heidi Boss (since they're not laying).

I reeeeeealy hope June isn't a rooster. I'd have to get rid of her if she is

 

[rebeccabrown72]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

Thanks!!

 

[lena_]

Can you post a pic of her tail feathers? One of her whole body, standing up would be best.
She may be a cockerel, but I'm not sure...

 

[Cyprus]

I don't have a recent one of all of them just now - but I can look!

How old is Junia in the picture above?
Looks like a cockerel to me. What breed?

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Free standing, profile pictures are best for gender identification. Junia may be a cockerel as I would expect a Exchequer leghorn pullet to have more of a flopped over comb.

 

[Hello_there]

Hello there Rebecca!
Welcome to BYC! Hopefully someone can answer you question because I can't.

 

[rebeccabrown72]

Can you post a pic of her tail feathers? One of her whole body, standing up would be best.
She may be a cockerel, but I'm not sure...

Will do! I'll try to get one tomorrow... and I'll try to get her riled up enough to make them big(ish)

 

[rebeccabrown72]

How old is Junia in the picture above?
Looks like a cockerel to me. What breed?

S/he hatched April 16, so about 6 months. She's an exchequer leghorn.