Hope4Hennsyvania
Songster
Good Day BYC friends & experienced hen keepers,
I have a question and am concerned for our almost 23 week old pullet/hen health.
She is a black sex link from Cackle hatchery, the biggest of our 3 pullets (all same age but different breeds), she is the bullied one as they other 2 occasionally peck at her when food/treats come out and once i saw her sleeping under the roost (i picked her up and put her on it, hasnt happened again) but she also seemed to take on some of a roos role, honking and protecting ...like catching a mouse or pecking and chasing away our dog & squirrels.
I read she could be bullied due to health, she's the only one not laying. They all started a few weeks ago within days of each other. While the other 2 girls are giving us an almost an egg/per day each... she dropped a few softshelled eggs a couple days about 3 weeks ago and none since
(we believed the soft shelled were hers because the other 2 girls still left eggs in nest box daily and we'd find 1 or 2 softshelled per day under roosting bar. Idk if they can lay a good egg & still create a softshelled then a good egg within 24hrs, but im not experienced and just going by what ive read)
Anyhow, my question.. is this ok for her, To have laid a few softshelled a couple weeks ago and nothing since? Will she start laying? Ive already thought about it altho hoped/planned for 3 laying hens we will not get rid of her even if she doesnt, she will stay. Is she sick, or defunct?
Shes eating & drinking, active & curious, They free range in the yard all day from 8am until dusk. She's got different poo then the other girls. I found a post about whats "normal" and shes at the far end but within range
Also, she's the only 1 that doesnt want to be touched, catching her is very difficult to even check her out. She will eat out of my hand, even prefers it, and.comes running when i bring out food but if I try to pet her... she quickly moves out of reach
Im worried she's unhealthy and do not want her to suffer if I can help her. Also have a 10yr old daughter that would be distraught if one dies unexpectedly.
Soon theyre moving to little bit bigger coop, i dont expect them to be happy about the change but wondering if it'll help her to reestablish a spot in pecking order or will just make things harder for her in what I see as chicken highschool cliques. How do I go about this move, do you think theyll prefer it with more space, height and longer roost or will they want the old coop, do i have to hide the old coop so they dont have a choice?
I want to provide the best life I can for animals in my care and appreciate advice.
Anyone have a chicken like this or have any suggestions?
Sorry if this post is all over the place. Thanks all

I have a question and am concerned for our almost 23 week old pullet/hen health.
She is a black sex link from Cackle hatchery, the biggest of our 3 pullets (all same age but different breeds), she is the bullied one as they other 2 occasionally peck at her when food/treats come out and once i saw her sleeping under the roost (i picked her up and put her on it, hasnt happened again) but she also seemed to take on some of a roos role, honking and protecting ...like catching a mouse or pecking and chasing away our dog & squirrels.
I read she could be bullied due to health, she's the only one not laying. They all started a few weeks ago within days of each other. While the other 2 girls are giving us an almost an egg/per day each... she dropped a few softshelled eggs a couple days about 3 weeks ago and none since
(we believed the soft shelled were hers because the other 2 girls still left eggs in nest box daily and we'd find 1 or 2 softshelled per day under roosting bar. Idk if they can lay a good egg & still create a softshelled then a good egg within 24hrs, but im not experienced and just going by what ive read)
Anyhow, my question.. is this ok for her, To have laid a few softshelled a couple weeks ago and nothing since? Will she start laying? Ive already thought about it altho hoped/planned for 3 laying hens we will not get rid of her even if she doesnt, she will stay. Is she sick, or defunct?
Shes eating & drinking, active & curious, They free range in the yard all day from 8am until dusk. She's got different poo then the other girls. I found a post about whats "normal" and shes at the far end but within range
Also, she's the only 1 that doesnt want to be touched, catching her is very difficult to even check her out. She will eat out of my hand, even prefers it, and.comes running when i bring out food but if I try to pet her... she quickly moves out of reach
Im worried she's unhealthy and do not want her to suffer if I can help her. Also have a 10yr old daughter that would be distraught if one dies unexpectedly.
Soon theyre moving to little bit bigger coop, i dont expect them to be happy about the change but wondering if it'll help her to reestablish a spot in pecking order or will just make things harder for her in what I see as chicken highschool cliques. How do I go about this move, do you think theyll prefer it with more space, height and longer roost or will they want the old coop, do i have to hide the old coop so they dont have a choice?
I want to provide the best life I can for animals in my care and appreciate advice.
Anyone have a chicken like this or have any suggestions?
Sorry if this post is all over the place. Thanks all
