one chicken being left out and getting less food

[charl237]

I just have got three chickens (they used to be on a battery farm) One of my chickens is being pecked at , particularly by this one dominant chicken, she usually ends up in the coop by herself, sometimes throughout the day I pour some food up there, but I cant keep doing this because some days I will be away for most of the day, and Im not sure if I should buy another set of feeders and drinkers as this will take up too much space, are there any tips that anyone has?
I've only had the chickens for about 3 days, do you think if I leave the chickens then eventually she will get confidence to go down and eat, or will she just starve? thanks.

 

[BoomChickaPop]

If she is getting pecked at by the others you will have to feed her separately she might be too scared to go eat at the feeder where the other chickens are.
I would quarantine her and feed her in her own feeder.
If you are away most of the time buy a big enough feeder to feed her so she won't starve.
What kind of chickens are they?
Is she skinny?



BCP

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You should always provide multiple feeders so those on the bottom of the pecking order feel comfortable enough to eat. If your set up can't accommodate extra feeders than it's probably too small for your birds, being crowded will cause aggression and pecking too. If they are ex battery hens than aren't their beaks usually trimmed?

 

[charl237]

Thanks for replies , To BCP , she isn't actually that skinny so she is ok for now , I will probaly buy some feeders that are abit smaller causs the current feeders are very big and there are many perches which may get in the way , to oldhenlikesdogs yes there beaks are short and rounded so I suppose that is better , however the chicken that is bieng bullied has a little patch of half plucked feathers hopefully the feather will grow back so she won't be as jumpy when pecked .

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hopefully everyone settles down after a bit, I've read that battery hens are often traumatized and don't know how to live in a flock structure, it's good you can give them a chance at something better.

 

[charl237]

Yeah today the one bieng bullied standed her ground a bit , I think things will start to settle.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's great news.