newchicknmomma
In the Brooder
Hello, I'm looking for help, and any insight is much appreciated as I am new to this.
A neighborhood chicken escaped her flock/coop and was flying through backyards. We alerted the owner, but they did not seem to care. After the chicken started spending weeks in our backyard and perching in our trees during the nights, we decided to build her a chicken coop and shelter her. It was difficult at first, but she got used to the coop, which is very spacious, and now she's always running after us looking for treats. She looks like a Welsummer, but her eggs are white. However, it's not white around her ears as a brown leghorn, so we're not sure of her breed. After a couple of months, we decided to get another chicken so that she is not alone. Someone gifted us a 1.5-year-old golden laced cochin, and although it's only been a few days, we're not sure if we made a mistake. Molly (our chicken) bullies the new chicken consistently and chases her away from all the food, treats, and water stations we have set up. She makes loud noises all day, attacks and pecks her, and it's a whole ordeal in the evenings when they need to sleep. Tonight, the new chicken kept trying to snuggle next to Molly and wouldn't give up no matter how many times Molly pecked at her - it was heartbreaking. I'm aware of the pecking order, but it seems that Molly doesn't prefer to be around any chickens whatsoever and wants the entire backyard to herself. The new chicken is super sweet, and now she's the one who seems lonely. We want her to explore, socialize, and not be afraid, but we're not sure if Molly's behavior will subside or if it's best to send her back. Molly started flying into another neighbor's backyard, so we clipped her flight feathers today, hoping it would humble her, but unfortunately, it did not. We would never kill her and also don't think anyone else would want to deal with her. Hoping to find a solution!
Thank you in advance!
A neighborhood chicken escaped her flock/coop and was flying through backyards. We alerted the owner, but they did not seem to care. After the chicken started spending weeks in our backyard and perching in our trees during the nights, we decided to build her a chicken coop and shelter her. It was difficult at first, but she got used to the coop, which is very spacious, and now she's always running after us looking for treats. She looks like a Welsummer, but her eggs are white. However, it's not white around her ears as a brown leghorn, so we're not sure of her breed. After a couple of months, we decided to get another chicken so that she is not alone. Someone gifted us a 1.5-year-old golden laced cochin, and although it's only been a few days, we're not sure if we made a mistake. Molly (our chicken) bullies the new chicken consistently and chases her away from all the food, treats, and water stations we have set up. She makes loud noises all day, attacks and pecks her, and it's a whole ordeal in the evenings when they need to sleep. Tonight, the new chicken kept trying to snuggle next to Molly and wouldn't give up no matter how many times Molly pecked at her - it was heartbreaking. I'm aware of the pecking order, but it seems that Molly doesn't prefer to be around any chickens whatsoever and wants the entire backyard to herself. The new chicken is super sweet, and now she's the one who seems lonely. We want her to explore, socialize, and not be afraid, but we're not sure if Molly's behavior will subside or if it's best to send her back. Molly started flying into another neighbor's backyard, so we clipped her flight feathers today, hoping it would humble her, but unfortunately, it did not. We would never kill her and also don't think anyone else would want to deal with her. Hoping to find a solution!
Thank you in advance!