Lowest on the pecking order

[LaurenRitz]

A question for anyone who might like to answer it.

I have 35 birds, 28 hens/pullets. Two of the youngest, currently 22 weeks old, are obviously low man.

The birds mostly free range, and these two are my best foragers. I guess they have to be, because every time they find something 5 or 6 birds are right there to take it away from them! Some of the birds seem to follow them around for the purpose.

These two just abandon whatever they found and run away.

I have 6 feeding stations, but I'm concerned about them getting enough to eat. They simply will not assert themselves, and it looks like NONE of the other birds will let them eat. If there is even one bird at the bowl, these two get run off.

They also think I'm the second coming of Jack the Ripper and run for their lives if I approach.

They're not close to laying, so the roosters run them off as well, and they're the two smallest birds in my flock.

Is there any way I can make sure they get food? Will this even out as they start to lay?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

This is why I always throw out some scratch daily. At least everyone gets something to eat. If you can catch them you can feel the breast bone to feel how sharp it is. You could also always separate them out and feed them separately. Personally I'd assume they are getting enough. They probably fill up in the evening. Low bird often come in to roosts later than all the others and will eat than.

 

[LaurenRitz]

Thanks. They look healthy, they're certainly not lethargic or slow.

I suppose I'm being a worry-wort. I tried to "guard" one of the bowls for them this afternoon and they wouldn't come close enough to est.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like you have multiple feeders. It's about all you can do. They will get braver as they mature.