My 2 chickens won't be friends

[CricketP]

Hi I posted a little back we got 1 RIR and 1 leghorn pullet.

They didn't come out of the house at first, they do now but the RIR walks around and eats greens and bugs etc., but the leghorn just sits under the house 95% of the time, they don't fight, they just aren't friends. Should I get another RIR hen (I would rather not) or are there any other ways to get them to play together?

I feel sorry for that little chicken out there all by her lonesome

thanks

 

[rjohns39]

Is your LH white industrial? How red/brown is your RIR? Is it industrial or non-industrial? Non-Industrial Leghorns are very flighty and very active, industrial not so much. RIRs by definition are active and good foragers. The non-industrial strains tend to be better foragers and way more active--yet they are also friendly.

Give them time and see if the LH gets out more and how the RIR reacts. Additionally, bring treats and sit with them. You can help forge a relationship.

 

[elaineinspain]

you can't force them to "play together"! In your position I'd just be glad that one is not bullying the other. (or is that the reason the leghorn just sits under the coop all day?) Make sure the leghorn has access to water and food - the RIR, if she's dominant, may well stop her from eating/drinking. If you really want to get another one it may be better to get a second leghorn. Then, if the RIR is bullying, she will have two to contend with! But remember that as soon as you add a newby there will definitely be pecking order squabbles which can get vicious! And you'd have to introduce the new one really slowly, in a set up that is "see but don't touch" for quite a while....

 

[black_dove2]

Hi I posted a little back we got 1 RIR and 1 leghorn pullet.

They didn't come out of the house at first, they do now but the RIR walks around and eats greens and bugs etc., but the leghorn just sits under the house 95% of the time, they don't fight, they just aren't friends. Should I get another RIR hen (I would rather not) or are there any other ways to get them to play together?

I feel sorry for that little chicken out there all by her lonesome

thanks

Mine go from bickering to friendly back and forth. But they've pretty much kept to their original personality I picked them out for.

RIR was calm and just kept close to me while all the other chicks ran . The Danish Brown just kept sitting on top of feeder fearless and noisy. She comes to my window to talk and fuss at me when she needs something. More treats, cooler water or plain just let me in.

Could it be the hen hiding is just cooler under porch? Maybe the other can tolerate heat better?

 

[CricketP]

Thanks everyone! I don't know if the white one is industrial or not, she does jerk her head around nervously. I took Rjohn's advice (thank you!)and sat out with them for awhile and gave them some corn kernels. They are out today following each other around!

Maybe it was that, maybe it was just her coming around. And yes it is cooler under the house they like to take dust baths there

I got them both at the same time but have been through adding a newbie, not fun!

 

[black_dove2]

So glad to hear they're bonding!

Mine just stopped squabbling as much. Chest bumping etc. It's so nice to see them finally eating quietly side by side.

 

[CricketP]

So glad to hear they're bonding!

Mine just stopped squabbling as much. Chest bumping etc. It's so nice to see them finally eating quietly side by side.
View attachment 1094604

That is so nice to see!

I'll post a pic soon too

 

[black_dove2]

I'll post a pic soon too

I look forward to seeing them!

 

[CricketP]

Not the greatest shot, but here they are (white one has a flop over lol)