Low Hen in the Pecking Order Not Allowed to Eat

[New2Chikns]

Hi,
I'm fairly new to chickens. I have a two year old pair of Leghorns I acquired 4 weeks ago, then added two Rhode Island Reds and a Buff Orpington.

Originally I bought a Red, the Orp and an Aracauna. The Red immediately and repeatedly attacked the Leghorns from the moment she arrived. I almost took her back but was distracted by the Aracauna's visits to the apartments next door. So, I took the Aracauna back and got another Red because the one we had was great with my 4 yo son.

So now, both Leghorns and both Reds pick on the Orpington to the point where she is not getting anything to eat. She is flighty and runs from everyone. When I feed I put food out in two pans about 6 feet apart, then make a small pile in between the two. The moment the Orpie starts eating the others peck at her and run her off. EVERY TIME. When it rains and the others are under the coop, she is by herself under a table. They have not started picking on her constantly, but she is not happy and I am concerned.

Our coop is small, but they are only in there overnight and to lay eggs. They have a large section of my backyard to run in. It's probably a 35'x50' area with trees and bushes and lots of grass.

What can I do? I've read about isolating the Queen hen but there isn't a ring leader. They ALL pick on her. I can't lock any of them in the coop because it is far too small. I would consider getting rid of the Orpie but she is not mine. My best friend paid for her and she just stays at my house.

Help?

 

[janinepeters]

Yikes, what a problem. Can't you tell your friend that her chicken is being tormented, and she needs to make other arrangements for her, ASAP? If she doesn't care enough about the bird to help out, then you can decide yourself whatever you think is best for the chicken.

 

[mi chicken]

that seems to happen alot u might have to separate them. they might not except her

 

[silkiechicken]

They sound like normal chickens to me. As adults from different groups, it can take weeks if not months for them to make a "perfect" mix. The orp will be picked on likly no matter the home she is in. She knows her place here, so will just eat after the others have had their fill and sleep on the lowest rung. Some birds are just more dominant than others. Let them fight it out though and don't get in the way, they will figure it out faster without intervention. No blood no fowl. Seriously, as long as there is no major injury such as active bleeding (torn combs and bloody faces that just dry up and stop bleeding do not count), do not worry.

 

[janinepeters]

"No blood no fowl."

I don't agree with this and don't think it is fair to leave a confined animal to be tormented, tortured, or killed by others. I always intervene, never let it get to the point of bloodshed, and that doesn't mean I have no fowl!

If you added this hen in immediately, without gradual introduction, then that is the problem. Gradual integration of new flock members vastly improves the chances of smooth acceptance by existing flock.

It is not "normal" for a chicken to be terrorized. Rather, it is a result of confinement. The wild ancestors of the domestic chickens are free to roam wherever they want, and rejected flock members split off and start new flocks. That is how a population of social animals grows, and THAT is "normal behavior". They don't stand around to be terrorized.

I hope you will do something to help this hen: Make your friend take responsibility, or take matters into your own hands and gradually reintroduce, rehome, or put her out of her misery before she dies of dehydration, starvation, or gets pecked to death.

Good luck.

 

[New2Chikns]

Hi,

Thanks for all the feedback. The Orp was raised with the two Rhode Island reds. I bought them from the same farm, they all lived in the same coop, etc. Things are settling down a little, but she still gets picked on, kicked out of the coop when she goes to lay, etc. I will have a convo with my friend. Not sure what the outcome will be. The two Leghorns are quite meek except for when it comes to the Orpie. I think the Reds have marked her as low-hen-in-the-coop and they are acting on it as well. No blood, no major scuffles, just the food thing. She is often by herself. When I let them out to free range in my yard I have to go find her and herd her out. She doesn't want to be near the others.

Thanks again for the feedback. I will keep you posted.

 

[silkiechicken]

I suppose that is true for very confined birds. I've had a few of my flock decide to switch the coop they live in, but some keep living with the main flock. Then again, I should note, that my flock only lives inside coops during the night, and have over a cleared acre of fence free property to roam on their own. They could go further, but have never left sight of the house in the 15+ years they have been there. Doesn't sound like the OP has issues with the hens when they are not getting ready for bed.

 

[lindsay297]

I had to seperate one of mine from the flock at night. They were picking on her during the day and not letting her eat. Very hard on me. They were also from the same flock orgianilly. I used a cat carrier and put her in at night with food and water, in the coop with the rest. That way she could eat and drink in peace and build up her strength to fight back, but not be seperated. After a week of doing this she is still on the bottom rung but can make it to feed when the others are busy.

Worked great for me....good luck.

If this doesnt work then you might have to talk with your friend.