New registration but have been following BYC for years!

[charliebucket]

Hey I'm Charlie and have 5 hens in a small coop that get some free range time when the weather is good! Three are Golden Comets, and two are something else! ha. I'm still learning about the ladies and how to provide for them best, any advice will be appreciated!

 

[charliebucket]

A first question is : One of my gals is always running by herself and has always been easily spooked. Last week she started getting pecked by what we think is just one of the hens. The lonely girl tries to roost early but once all the hens are in the coop she ends up sleeping at the top of the ramp. I've treated the wound and hopefully have the pecking stopped but how do I handle the social part of the situation? I hate that it is 4 together and 1 loner. (the Loner and 1 other were raised together and the other 3 are sisters introduced to the coop later)

Thanks!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - glad that you have joined us.

It's good to keep an injured bird separated from the flock when they have visible injuries. Chickens can be remorselessly brutal when they see wounds.

Coop space or roost space may be an issue - see this link -https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need. This link on feather pecking may help you to identify possible causes and how to try and fix them. It's likely that a combination of interventions will be needed to sort things out - https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1148824/topic-of-the-week-feather-pecking-eating

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread#post_3239224

All the best
CT

 

[charliebucket]

Awesome, thanks! Tomorrow I'll see what I can do to give them a little more space and see what that does!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Charlie

Welcome!

As you have already received links to some good starting points, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Charlie, and

! Great to have you with us! Happy you made it official and made an account! Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard chickens