new owner of Bielefelders,

[mountianchick]

I currently have one rooster and four hens. Started out great, now hens are picking on one of the hens, she has lost many of her feathers. It has gone as far as chasing her away from the food. Have had them for over a month this behavior has been going for the past two weeks. This has also slowed Down egg production to maybe one egg a day. Today I am getting two more hens and a rooster, not sure at this point if this will help or make things worse. I also was thinking that this hen might be I'll. And the other chickens know. Not sure what to do any ideas. Thank you.

 

[N F C]

If you have a chicken showing signs of illness, remove her from the flock and try to figure out what her symptoms are (runny poop, lack of appetite, sleeping all the time, etc.). Then you can post all that over on the emergency forum:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

If she isn't sick, it sounds like she is being bullied. Have an extra feeder and waterer out so she isn't getting chased off from that. Some people use pinless peepers on the bullies (you can do a Search and find more info on them) or separate the bully from the flock for a day or two.

New birds should be isolated from your existing flock for about 30 days before mixing them all together.

 

[sunflour]

glad you have joined us.

x2 on NorthFlChick's advice.


But also, most recommend you have 8-10 hens per rooster. And 2 roos in the small flock will likely be a new problem for you with their own conflicts.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

too many roosters and too few hens = hens getting battered and bald and overbred. As to the one being bullied - happens all the time with chickens, it can be a bigger one, smaller, odd ones like silkies and polish, or no reason at all. They don't have to be sick - Pinless peepers would quiet them down. It prevents them from seeing straight ahead, so their aim is off.

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!