Racist chickens!

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Addisonh11

Addisonh11

Hatching
7 Years
Aug 7, 2012
8
1
9
Well, I know it's not racism, but it looks that way haha. Away at camp this summer, we went to a flea market and my friend and I bought two beautiful Barred Rock laying hens. I kept them at camp for about a month and I brought them home. So I've had them for about two months, and I decided to get two more chickens. I decided to get older chickens so my current Barred Rocks and my cat wouldn't bully the chicks. I got a Silver Laced Wyandotte and a White Rock (at least that's what the guy told me). Both were about the age to just start laying. The Wyandotte immediately became part of the group and now roams the yard with my Barred Rocks, but all three of them pick on the White Rock. It isn't vicious bullying, but if she's too close to them they chase her away and peck at her. Sometimes they go out of their way to chase her when she isn't even nearby.
I knew that bullying was a possibility when getting new chickens, but I've started to worry because I haven't seen her eat. She wouldn't eat out of my hand either while I held her or when I put food infront of her on the ground. (I'm not sure if it's the food, I'm feeding them crumbles). I have to put her in the coop with the others at night, and I have to take her out in the morning. Other than that, she just roams the yard hiding in bushes separated from the other girls. I feel really bad for her, but I don't know what to do. I don't know whether I should wait and let them establish their pecking order or not because I'm afraid it may kill her. Please help!
 
Greetings from Kansas, Addisonh11, and
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! I'm not an expert by any means but it sounds like the White Rock might just be on the bottom of the natural pecking order. If it is not more than just a peck or two and then a brief chase, I don't think it is too out of the ordinary. Life in the chicken world I guess. Just my opinion. Best of luck to you!
 
thanks for the quick reply! I thought the same as you the past two days, but its starting to get out of hand. Now I see that she is limping, and she won't eat anything I give to her. I held chicken crumbles, tomatoes, peperoni, bread, etc in front of her and she doesn't pay any attention to it. Originally I thought it was just a pecking order thing they need to sort out, but shouldn't she at least be eating? I'm starting to get really worried about her...
 
Well, that is more serious. Once the others see weakness or injury they may turn up the heat and really go after her. I think at a minimum you should isolate her from the other birds so they can't get at her or even stress her. Then monitor her condition. Does she still drink? If you think it is something medical you should post over in the Emergencies/Diseases/Injuries for more comprehensive advice and information. Good luck and I hope she is okay!
 
Hello and welcome to BYC
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Good luck with your hen!
 

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