- Aug 12, 2012
- 15
- 0
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Hey all!
I got hybrid hens two weeks ago. All were getting on fine.
A week later, I introduced a cockerel. All the hens picked on him to begin with, but settled down after a day or two.
Yesterday, I noticed one of the chickens had become very lethargic. She was sitting down a lot, and not sticking with the group. I took some meal worms as a treat, and she was not interested; where as usually she would be going crazy!
Last night when I went to shut them away, she was sat only half in the roost; with her head looking out.
They are cordened off, but have a good 50m square to run around in.
This morning she laid an egg, but continues to go and sit by herself. I don't know if she is becoming an easy target; as the cockerel keeps chasing her. Sometimes he jumps on top and does his stuff; but other times it seems purely a chase. I have not seen him try to get on top of any of the other chickens; and worry she is getting a bit too much attention. When I went up to offer some treats, she hung back and didnt try to get anything. One of the other hens even gave her a bit of a peck. She soon moved away completely.
Any ideas what I should do? She does get up and wonder around slowly sometimes; but doesnt seem to be eating or drinking much. I couldnt see any lice in her poop, and no sign of redmite. I wormed them all at the beginning of the week.
She was such a character when they first arrived, and now seems like a completely different chicken. Any advice welcome!
Thank you!
Emily
I got hybrid hens two weeks ago. All were getting on fine.
A week later, I introduced a cockerel. All the hens picked on him to begin with, but settled down after a day or two.
Yesterday, I noticed one of the chickens had become very lethargic. She was sitting down a lot, and not sticking with the group. I took some meal worms as a treat, and she was not interested; where as usually she would be going crazy!
Last night when I went to shut them away, she was sat only half in the roost; with her head looking out.
They are cordened off, but have a good 50m square to run around in.
This morning she laid an egg, but continues to go and sit by herself. I don't know if she is becoming an easy target; as the cockerel keeps chasing her. Sometimes he jumps on top and does his stuff; but other times it seems purely a chase. I have not seen him try to get on top of any of the other chickens; and worry she is getting a bit too much attention. When I went up to offer some treats, she hung back and didnt try to get anything. One of the other hens even gave her a bit of a peck. She soon moved away completely.
Any ideas what I should do? She does get up and wonder around slowly sometimes; but doesnt seem to be eating or drinking much. I couldnt see any lice in her poop, and no sign of redmite. I wormed them all at the beginning of the week.
She was such a character when they first arrived, and now seems like a completely different chicken. Any advice welcome!
Thank you!
Emily
