The lowest of the low

[dichotomymom]

One of my girls that's on the bottom of the order is just having a horrible time. The others have picked this last week to just about put the final nail in her coffin. They won't let her have any food, mob her and chased her into a crevice that I had to un-nail just to get her out of. She's healthy but small, still gives me an egg at least every other day but I just can't keep her with the others anymore. I don't want to cull because she does still give an egg and eating her would be a waste of time (she wouldn't be much bigger than a cornish after all the work. What would be my best bet? I would just cull except I have an egg route and an egg is still an egg. Put her in a separate cage inside the coop so she's not completely isolated but they can't get at her, ideas?

ETA: when they are let out for the day, they leave her be....she is able to graze without issues so she has that time to herself.

 

[bargain]

Scramble up those girls!!! Move the hens into separate pens/areas for a while if possible and keep shifting them around....It will break up the "hen gang". The other thing, provide distraction, hang cabbages etc for them to pick on.

Best of luck on this and have a blessed day. Nancy

 

[dichotomymom]

This probably sounds far fetched but I counted and have 13. I know when I did my last processing that I had 12 afterwards. I think somebody else's sl wyandotte got loose and found it's way over to my flock. It would explain the sudden surge of hostility and there are several small farms around me.

 

[Marie1234]

Quote:
That is what I had to do. Every few days I'd pull out two and once the population in the second coop was equal to the first I'd trade one for one for a month then started adding two at a time back to the original coop. My problem started when a broody hen tried to re-establish back to the flock and it did not go well. Because she was such a good mom it was worth the trouble in the long run.

 

[dichotomymom]

Thank you both and I will give that a try!

 

[hollywoodchick]

I had the same issue with a little black silkie. the hens she grew up with turned on her, almost killed her, I put her witht eh Seramas,, they too picked on her. I tried to slowly reinto in a seperate cage for a couple weeks. Let her out and after a few days, they almost killed her again. She would hide her head, and it was so sad. Then, I got a dozen baby BCM and, stucke her with them. Now, they treat her royally, she has all her head feathers back, and LOVES to strut in front of the old traitors run! LOL

 

[bakerjw]

The suggestions given so far are very good. As for me I'm always for the underdog and I'd never cull an animal that is being picked on by others. Abused and picked on animals always seem to be the most appreciated. I'd separate her and feed her the best treats where all of the others could see.

 

[dichotomymom]

Quote:
I agree, although my girls are for meat and egg production (I don't feed the ones that don't support themselves). I found someone that wants her for a pet, so problem solved!