Darius42
Hatching
Hi there
We have two little Pekin Bantams that are getting their neck feathers plucked and the crowns are showing signs of injury and bleeding. Its hard to tell from observation whether its the Rooster having his way with them too often (they are easy pickings) or being picked on by the other hens. Here is some more information-
Seven chooks total- two dominant Isa Browns (dominant over the young Rooster), two Plymouth Rock Bantams (keep to themselves), two young Pekin Bantams and a young (full size) Australorpe Rooster.
One of the Pekins has become quite distressed and depressed. Doesn't hang around the flock anymore and has ongoing injuries to her head. Is also unwilling to go into the coop at night and often perches on her own elsewhere in the coop.
All of the chickens free range almost every day over a large 600m square block. they have a 6m square coop that is well cleaned, ventilated, sheltered etc. I believe the conditions our chickens have are very good compared to most of what I have seen.
I have tried separating the naughty dominant Isa Browns by putting them in a separate coop at night. While it encourages the Pekin to go in at night it hasn't stopped the injuries.
I don't have the ability to watch them at night or first thing in the morning (they get very ratty in the morning because they know how good it is outside, and the Rooster wants lots of sex an chases them around) so its hard to tell whether its the dominant Isa's or the rowdy Rooster causing the problems. Its getting worse on an almost daily basis, hence my post here.
Thanks
We have two little Pekin Bantams that are getting their neck feathers plucked and the crowns are showing signs of injury and bleeding. Its hard to tell from observation whether its the Rooster having his way with them too often (they are easy pickings) or being picked on by the other hens. Here is some more information-
Seven chooks total- two dominant Isa Browns (dominant over the young Rooster), two Plymouth Rock Bantams (keep to themselves), two young Pekin Bantams and a young (full size) Australorpe Rooster.
One of the Pekins has become quite distressed and depressed. Doesn't hang around the flock anymore and has ongoing injuries to her head. Is also unwilling to go into the coop at night and often perches on her own elsewhere in the coop.
All of the chickens free range almost every day over a large 600m square block. they have a 6m square coop that is well cleaned, ventilated, sheltered etc. I believe the conditions our chickens have are very good compared to most of what I have seen.
I have tried separating the naughty dominant Isa Browns by putting them in a separate coop at night. While it encourages the Pekin to go in at night it hasn't stopped the injuries.
I don't have the ability to watch them at night or first thing in the morning (they get very ratty in the morning because they know how good it is outside, and the Rooster wants lots of sex an chases them around) so its hard to tell whether its the dominant Isa's or the rowdy Rooster causing the problems. Its getting worse on an almost daily basis, hence my post here.
Thanks
