Should I be worried?

[Penny spender]

My baby, Peach, does not seem to be the smartest chicken in the henhouse. She is 20 weeks old now and seems healthy other than her sleeping preference.

She wants to sleep in the nest box most nights, so I pick her up and set her on the roost on the outside of the other girls. It has been bitter cold here and the last 2 nights and she has roosted alone outside in the run!! Of course I brought her into the coop with the other ladies.

A few weeks ago, during our first snowfall, she got lost outside in the snow and roosted in some low branches about 15ft from the coop (I was so glad I went back out to look the 2nd time and found her!!)

We recently gave away 2 of her brothers. Could that have something to do with it?

Any insights or thoughts on her non-flocking behaviour?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Does she have other birds her age that she grew up with?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Awww, she's so CUTE! I'm thinking the "change" is an adjustment for her but as oldhenlikesdogs inquired, are there any her age? She just may not like snow or getting lost in it, the nest box feels safe. You could block off the nest box at night & keep putting her inside with the rest of the girls.

 

[Penny spender]

I kept one of her hatch mates. A young rooster who roosts with the big ladies no problem (at 20 weeks he doesn't grow or try to mate yet though).

I make sure to check on her every night. I worry about her...especially in this cold!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She is probably on the bottom of the pecking order, and has no friend to buddy up with. She will stick by herself to avoid being pecked by the older birds. You will need to continue to look after her until she matures more. Eventually she will become a part of the flock, but for now she's doing what she's supposed to by staying away from the older birds.

 

[Penny spender]

Thanks Oldhenlikesdogs. Good to know it's fairly normal behavior. Poor girl.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks Oldhenlikesdogs. Good to know it's fairly normal behavior. Poor girl.

It is always sad when there's a single pullet in a batch, but it happens. Thankfully Easter eggers seem a bit more independent than other breeds, so she will be okay after a while.

 

[micstrachan]

She’s adorable! I think she will be OK with time.

 

[Cynful481]

She is precious