Underdeveloped hen: cull or not?

[nuthatched]

I don’t know if timid is the right word for it. Anxious and scared is more like it. She won’t even eat if someone comes too close to her. She screams (literally screams) and runs away. I don’t think that is timid.

She obviously has some neurological or visual going on. A very poor quality of life.

 

[Bawkbok]

We have what I would call a neurotic pullet, a BO about 6 months old. She eats and hangs with the others but is bullied by the bully and that makes her crazy. She doesn't stand up for herself. Freaks out and runs / flies all over the run. She is also small for her age, small conformation all over, head, neck - only a few months will tell if we are faced with the same decision if she doesn't mature physically and emotionally. Some chickens just don't make the grade, according to genetics, I guess. She is best buds with another so I would hate to break up that relationship. You have to follow your heart with what the flock needs and your circumstances are.

 

[gimmie birdies]

You could offer her to someone with a small flock or with pullets younger than herself.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have 7 hens (in a coop together.) 4 were from a rare meyers order, 2 were from a orpington hatch, and one from a Jan. hatch (one I kept because of crooked toes). Of the 4 rare hens, one is shy of the other hens, but not me. But is kind of a loner. Of the 2 Orpingtons, one is normal sized, she hangs out mostly with the rare hens, one is small LO and she is a food-y and besty with the one hen from the Jan. hatch. I really didn't want to cull the last 2 and didn't but they are very lively. Everyone is too young for eggs yet.

 

[NatJ]

I’ve monitored her now and she is really getting bullied by the rooster. I bring out her own feed to get her to eat.

I don’t know if timid is the right word for it. Anxious and scared is more like it. She won’t even eat if someone comes too close to her. She screams (literally screams) and runs away. I don’t think that is timid.

Separating her only seems to freak her out.

The things you said are reminding me of this article I read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

I don't know if your hen can be helped or not, but it might be an idea to think about.

I did mean cull as kill and eat. She seems miserable, IMO. Separating her only seems to freak her out. I would only worry if I rehomed her. She is a sweet girl but her anxiety is through the roof.

Based on your description, I probably would kill & eat her. But she is your chicken not mine, so ultimately your decision to make.

 

[JustOhkay]

The things you said are reminding me of this article I read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

I don't know if your hen can be helped or not, but it might be an idea to think about.


Based on your description, I probably would kill & eat her. But she is your chicken not mine, so ultimately your decision to make.

This is a great article! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m not in any rush to rid her of the flock. Walked around with her today and would take the small chick feeder and place it in front of her to eat until Russel Crow tried coming around. Then I’d pick it up and move it to wherever she ran to. The hose is also a great deterrent to Russel, especially when he tries to run up on my 7 week old ducks.

I’ll try putting her in the kennel for a while to see if that helps her gain her confidence like the article you sent. Maybe that will be her saving Grace.

Thanks again!!

 

[JustOhkay]

I have 7 hens (in a coop together.) 4 were from a rare meyers order, 2 were from a orpington hatch, and one from a Jan. hatch (one I kept because of crooked toes). Of the 4 rare hens, one is shy of the other hens, but not me. But is kind of a loner. Of the 2 Orpingtons, one is normal sized, she hangs out mostly with the rare hens, one is small LO and she is a food-y and besty with the one hen from the Jan. hatch. I really didn't want to cull the last 2 and didn't but they are very lively. Everyone is too young for eggs yet.

It’s so interesting to see their personalities come out. Sometimes the world is just too scary haha.

 

[JustOhkay]

We have what I would call a neurotic pullet, a BO about 6 months old. She eats and hangs with the others but is bullied by the bully and that makes her crazy. She doesn't stand up for herself. Freaks out and runs / flies all over the run. She is also small for her age, small conformation all over, head, neck - only a few months will tell if we are faced with the same decision if she doesn't mature physically and emotionally. Some chickens just don't make the grade, according to genetics, I guess. She is best buds with another so I would hate to break up that relationship. You have to follow your heart with what the flock needs and your circumstances are.

that is what I’ve been dealing with for about 6 months. She was besties with my Ancona, until my Ancona ended up with an injury and then suddenly started bullying Belle. Now she has no one.

 

[JustOhkay]

She obviously has some neurological or visual going on. A very poor quality of life.

Yeah - it sucks to watch her constantly act this way.

 

[JustOhkay]

You could offer her to someone with a small flock or with pullets younger than herself.

I considered this also, but it’s so hard to know who to trust these days. I don’t personally know anyone with chickens that I’d be comfortable handing her off to.