Should i help the girl at the bottom of the pecking order?

[krista74]

Hi all,

For the past 2 months I have been the proud owner/mommy of 6 pullets (2 BO's and 4 RIR's) and one BO cockerel who are now 7 months old. And up until tonight I thought they were all getting along.

However, when I went to lock everyone into the coop at dusk I found my favourite girl, Orpy, sleeping in the nest box instead of on the roost with all the others.

This has happened once before, and both that time and tonight I have gently picked her up, popped her on the roost to sleep with the others and congratulated myself on doing the right thing.

I just assumed it must have gotten dark before she got herself organised and she couldn't find her way up to the roost in the dark.

Anyway, as I was locking the gate I turned around to say goodnight, only to see the head pullet ("Fire Ant") viciously peck Orpy on the face. It was only one sharp nip, but Orpy squawked. I think she was as shocked as I was. Then, (and yes, I know I sound like a crazy chook lady) I swear Orpy started crying. She was making sad little peeping noises and my heart just about broke...

I left her on the perch hoping they would sort it out amongst themselves, and watched quietly for a little while as Fire Ant 'threatened' to peck her again. Orpy sort of cowered on her spot but stayed put.

When I checked back again an hour later she was still on the roost but was sitting all by herself at the far end, while the other 6 cuddled up together. She looked so lonely!

So to all the chicken gurus out there - Did I do the right thing putting her on the roost? Or am I better off from now on just leaving her to sleep alone in the nest box?

I understand that there always has to be someone at the bottom of the pecking order - but gosh I wish it wasn't my little Orpy.

Thanks,

Krista.

 

[Johnn]

Hi all,

For the past 2 months I have been the proud owner/mommy of 6 pullets (2 BO's and 4 RIR's) and one BO cockerel who are now 7 months old. And up until tonight I thought they were all getting along.

However, when I went to lock everyone into the coop at dusk I found my favourite girl, Orpy, sleeping in the nest box instead of on the roost with all the others.

This has happened once before, and both that time and tonight I have gently picked her up, popped her on the roost to sleep with the others and congratulated myself on doing the right thing.

I just assumed it must have gotten dark before she got herself organised and she couldn't find her way up to the roost in the dark.

Anyway, as I was locking the gate I turned around to say goodnight, only to see the head pullet ("Fire Ant") viciously peck Orpy on the face. It was only one sharp nip, but Orpy squawked. I think she was as shocked as I was. Then, (and yes, I know I sound like a crazy chook lady) I swear Orpy started crying. She was making sad little peeping noises and my heart just about broke...

I left her on the perch hoping they would sort it out amongst themselves, and watched quietly for a little while as Fire Ant 'threatened' to peck her again. Orpy sort of cowered on her spot but stayed put.

When I checked back again an hour later she was still on the roost but was sitting all by herself at the far end, while the other 6 cuddled up together. She looked so lonely!

So to all the chicken gurus out there - Did I do the right thing putting her on the roost? Or am I better off from now on just leaving her to sleep alone in the nest box?

I understand that there always has to be someone at the bottom of the pecking order - but gosh I wish it wasn't my little Orpy.

Thanks,

Krista.

I wouldn't say it was the right or wrong thing to do. By putting her there you are helping the others get used to her being on the roost, but she might want to sleep in the nest box and might feel more comfortable doing so. Orps are a heavy breed and one of my girls chooses to sleep on the floor. I would just leave her, if she's going to get pecked everytime she gets on the roost, then you can see why she doesn't want on. Is this top hen a RIR? They are known to be bullies and Orpingtons are known to be easily bullied in a mixed flock. I have Buff Orps in a mixed flock but mine are fiesty and usually do the bullying!! I'd check she is getting enough food etc too. Good Luck!

 

[azygous]

It's immaterial whether or not you help Orpy out. The pecking order is going to carry out its daily drama either way.

Don't assume that Orpy will always be at the bottom. The pecking order is always changing, and I've had top hens move to the very bottom over time while the lowly learn to be more spunky and move up.

I've found that a lot of the trouble some heavier breeds have at roosting time is due to not having a low perch that they're comfortable with. I built a portable perch about 30 inches long and just ten inches high. All of the heavier breeds use it, and I even made sure there was a low perch included in the new coop I built a few years ago. Some chickens are just plain lazy, and like have a perch they don't have to exert any energy getting on.

You really don't want any chickens getting into the habit of sleeping in the nest boxes, unless you don't mind dirty eggs.

 

[krista74]

Hi again

Thanks for your replies! Johnn, the bully "Fire Ant" is the other Orpington! Who would have thought she would have turned against her ex best friend! I had bought the 2 BO pullets and BO cockerel all together so I thought they would get along, but things are turning nasty.

Anzgous, I think the roost is set up pretty well. They have 3 levels which are set up stadium style, and the bottom one is only about 7 inches off the ground. Both the bottom and second roost are about 1 inch thick and 2 inches wide so that the bigger girls can sit flat on their feet if its more comfortable for them. The highest roost is a natural tree branch about an inch or so thick. All are about 6 feet long and the girls sort of step up the three roosts to get to the top one. I found that since they are quite big the stadium seating helped as they didn't all need to be flapping to get up to the roost.

Up until last night, they have all slept in the roost on the highest branch together in a particular order. The thing that was interesting about last night is that somehow the rooster got into the wrong spot. Normally he is in between the 2 Orpington hens, and then they both snuggle up to him. But last night George got mixed up and went to the end of the roost, and the two Orpington pullets ended up next to each other and didn't like it. Well, Fire Ant didn't like it, anyway! I wonder if this is what upset the applecart.

I will keep a close eye on things over the coming nights and make sure she is ok.

Thanks again for your replies, Krista.

 

[Johnn]

Hi again

Thanks for your replies! Johnn, the bully "Fire Ant" is the other Orpington! Who would have thought she would have turned against her ex best friend! I had bought the 2 BO pullets and BO cockerel all together so I thought they would get along, but things are turning nasty.

Anzgous, I think the roost is set up pretty well. They have 3 levels which are set up stadium style, and the bottom one is only about 7 inches off the ground. Both the bottom and second roost are about 1 inch thick and 2 inches wide so that the bigger girls can sit flat on their feet if its more comfortable for them. The highest roost is a natural tree branch about an inch or so thick. All are about 6 feet long and the girls sort of step up the three roosts to get to the top one. I found that since they are quite big the stadium seating helped as they didn't all need to be flapping to get up to the roost.

Up until last night, they have all slept in the roost on the highest branch together in a particular order. The thing that was interesting about last night is that somehow the rooster got into the wrong spot. Normally he is in between the 2 Orpington hens, and then they both snuggle up to him. But last night George got mixed up and went to the end of the roost, and the two Orpington pullets ended up next to each other and didn't like it. Well, Fire Ant didn't like it, anyway! I wonder if this is what upset the applecart.

I will keep a close eye on things over the coming nights and make sure she is ok.

Thanks again for your replies, Krista.

Maybes Fire Ant was below her and is now above her so making sure she knows who's boss. I'm not surprised she's a bully, because mine are too!

 

[aart]

Pecking happens.
You can't 'help' the low hen. They don't need help, they accept their position in the flock and the pecking rarely causes any real discomfort.

Definitely right to remove them from nest to roost at night, IMO.

Might want some wider roosts, more stability when shuffling at roosting time-which will probably always happen, more comfortable for larger birds to settle down on.