Hi everyone.. first post. Hoping for some advice.
I work at a preschool. We started out with two hens, given to us by a preschool family. When the older one (Mama) went broody we got her some fertilised eggs and sent the other hen back to the farm because she was super aggressive and going after the children. Out of six eggs only one hatched (Peep). Obviously as far as Mama knew it was her baby and they were inseparable. Unfortunately we had to re-home Peep as he turned out to be a rooster. We are waiting on some female chicks but have been told it will be a few weeks until we can get them.
Mama has always been shy. She doesn't seem bothered by all the children around her, when she had Peep with her she would just find a quiet space for a dust bath or scratch around, etc, but she doesn't like being touched. Because I hand raised Peep he was super friendly and loved being handled, so I think Mama was more confident with him around. Now that she is alone she follows me around the playground and if we're all inside she just stands at the window watching us (but won't come in if I open the door). She is constantly making a lot of noise, like she's calling out for Peep
She never used to react when I would walk at her, she would just scamper off, but now she freezes and lowers herself to the ground before dashing off if I come any closer.
She is still laying and eating and drinking. I'm just a bit worried about her, is there anything I can do to help her until we get her some company?
I work at a preschool. We started out with two hens, given to us by a preschool family. When the older one (Mama) went broody we got her some fertilised eggs and sent the other hen back to the farm because she was super aggressive and going after the children. Out of six eggs only one hatched (Peep). Obviously as far as Mama knew it was her baby and they were inseparable. Unfortunately we had to re-home Peep as he turned out to be a rooster. We are waiting on some female chicks but have been told it will be a few weeks until we can get them.
Mama has always been shy. She doesn't seem bothered by all the children around her, when she had Peep with her she would just find a quiet space for a dust bath or scratch around, etc, but she doesn't like being touched. Because I hand raised Peep he was super friendly and loved being handled, so I think Mama was more confident with him around. Now that she is alone she follows me around the playground and if we're all inside she just stands at the window watching us (but won't come in if I open the door). She is constantly making a lot of noise, like she's calling out for Peep
She never used to react when I would walk at her, she would just scamper off, but now she freezes and lowers herself to the ground before dashing off if I come any closer. She is still laying and eating and drinking. I'm just a bit worried about her, is there anything I can do to help her until we get her some company?
