PHi! I recently got 3 'brandless' white chickens from a friend and so I started a little flock... The chickens seemed to have their pecking order sorted out - two are the higher ranking ones and the third one is always lower than them, literally. She seemed to have trouble walking at first and just seemed to be crouching on the ground a lot. I checked her legs but could see nothing wrong with them, except that the nails were very long. After a few days though, she started walking upright more, scratching around with rhe others, so I assumed her nails were wearing down by activity. They were closed in a very small cage before I got them.
Now , a couple of days ago, someone left me a surprise rooster... I wasnt sure what to do, but decided to try out if he and the hens got on. He is also white and brandless but very small, almost half the size of the hens. At first, everyone seemed fine, they all walked and scratched accross the yard together. Atnight, the lowest hen didnt roost with them but she never does, so I didnt see a problem. The next day, I noticed that hen (Rachel) got left out alot. At night, the rooster wouldnt let her into the coop - he chased her out.
Im worried by this behaviour... did he single Rachel out because she doesnt walk well? Will this pass? Should I separate them, and if so, who..? I am planning to get some more chickens of a different breed, matbe Bantams, but now I wonder if he might bully them? He is so tiny though, not much bigger than a bantam himself! I also noticed something has torn my rabbit's ear, and I sort of suspect him. Not sure what to do! Would very much appreciate suggestions!
Now , a couple of days ago, someone left me a surprise rooster... I wasnt sure what to do, but decided to try out if he and the hens got on. He is also white and brandless but very small, almost half the size of the hens. At first, everyone seemed fine, they all walked and scratched accross the yard together. Atnight, the lowest hen didnt roost with them but she never does, so I didnt see a problem. The next day, I noticed that hen (Rachel) got left out alot. At night, the rooster wouldnt let her into the coop - he chased her out.
Im worried by this behaviour... did he single Rachel out because she doesnt walk well? Will this pass? Should I separate them, and if so, who..? I am planning to get some more chickens of a different breed, matbe Bantams, but now I wonder if he might bully them? He is so tiny though, not much bigger than a bantam himself! I also noticed something has torn my rabbit's ear, and I sort of suspect him. Not sure what to do! Would very much appreciate suggestions!
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