Pecking order..

[jllracer55]

Not sure where else to try and post this so hopefully this is the right spot. My question is, can pecking order effect the health of hens and can one lower in the pecking order have been pushed away as to not being able to get the proper amount of food due to bullies in the flock?

 

[sylviethecochin]

It's definitely possible.

Depends on your feed situation and your flock. If the dominant chickens are bullies and are able to consistently keep a lower chicken away from the feed, then of course she won't get the proper amount of food. If you have multiple feeding stations/freefeed, this is less of a problem.

 

[Willowspirit]

Not sure where else to try and post this so hopefully this is the right spot. My question is, can pecking order effect the health of hens and can one lower in the pecking order have been pushed away as to not being able to get the proper amount of food due to bullies in the flock?

Yes! One of my pullets is smaller than the other four in the group because she was being pushed away from the food. We added an additional feeder and then i spend some time every day or so letting them eat from my hand. Most of their treats are just chick crumbles but they are out on the grass too. My littlest one has gotten bigger and they aren't fussing at each other as much.

 

[jllracer55]

We have 7 pvc tubes full of pellets for now 15 birds as we lost another one yesterday. I am wondering if she got starved somewhat as she was lower in the pecking order and acted lethargic but not sure why besides possible lack of nutrition and or food. a couple older birds keep picking on the younger ones in the flock. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It's entirely possible. Are all the tribes in one spot or separate areas (preferably not in direct line of sight)?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Have you had a fecal done recently to check for internal parasites, or inspected for external parasites?

 

[Chicka_deee]

Not sure where else to try and post this so hopefully this is the right spot. My question is, can pecking order effect the health of hens and can one lower in the pecking order have been pushed away as to not being able to get the proper amount of food due to bullies in the flock?

Yes, I know I do have a chicken that gets bullied and doesn’t not get food. I would just feed the bullied one to the side, where they can’t see her.

 

[jllracer55]

It's entirely possible. Are all the tribes in one spot or separate areas (preferably not in direct line of sight)?

not entirely sure what you are trying to ask here?

 

[jllracer55]

Yes, I know I do have a chicken that gets bullied and doesn’t not get food. I would just feed the bullied one to the side, where they can’t see her.

well the one that was bullied the most is now dead sadly but im watching the other ones and it seems 2 of the hens are still standing tall and pecking each others heads ,maybe they are stuck together in the coop too long while we are at work?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

not entirely sure what you are trying to ask here?

Lol, lack of proofreading.....tubes, not tribes. You have 7 PVC tube feeders, how are they arranged or distributed?