Violet's only companion died today - and it's freezing

[yogamebird]

Well Violet is asserting her dominance by pushing Tilly away from food. Is it possible that Tilly will not able to eat at all if we don't mind them?

I served up the mash today in two separate bowls and both girls are gobbling it right up. I am just concerned that when I'm not watching them Violet will starve Tilly out.

There is plenty of layer pellet in the feeder.

 

[deacons]

I think you need to put out at least two feeders, so the "low girl" always has a place to go if she gets chased off. You don't have to add anything elaborate- one of the small plastic hanging ones shouldn't be more than $8-10 and will give you some reassurance.

 

[Acornewell]

I use baking dishes or any random tupperware. I would just put another feeder or two. It will be fine I am sure it will work itself out.

 

[LipsChicks]

I rarely see my chickens eating unless it's treats. I like the idea of two dishes but I'd bet Tilly eats when you're not looking. Two dishes can't hurt. I'm loving following this story.

 

[yogamebird]

I gave the girls two separate dishes of mash today and it was hell and all to keep Violet out of Tilly's way! I finally had to lock Violet out of the coop so Tilly could eat in peace - Tilly's dish inside, Violet's dish out. But I am wondering if I should just let their animal instinct kick in and let them work it out themselves. Tilly's supposed to be a prolific layer but she has not produced an egg since arriving here.

Then, last night, there was another sad sight. Violet was out of sight roosting and Tilly was just standing on the ramp. I don't know if she ever made it up to the roost. Could it be possible that Violet was keeping her from roosting?

 

[LipsChicks]

I'm not surprised that Tilly isn't laying yet. Any change in routine can change egg production. As far as roosting, she hasn't found her spot yet. Some of mine still choose to sleep on the floor. Think of how bored you'd be if everything was going smoothly.

 

[deacons]

I have a couple of thoughts.

First, on the food thing, this is based totally on my experience with horses and helping working out "pecking order issues" in a herd, but I think you should set up three feeding stations. There is this truism with horse management that you should always put out "one more pile of hay than you have horses"- i.e., if you have 4 horses in a field together, you need 5 piles of hay available so there is no fighting. The lead horse is always going to try to drive the low guy off a pile, but if the number of piles is arranged this way, there is by definition always going to be one open pile for the low guy to go to. At some point, the lead horse is generally going to give it a rest and the low guy will find a place to eat. I recently went through this problem with my lowest hen too- I explained a little more in this thread, but the idea was the same, I started adding a lot more feeding options and she very quickly regained her confidence and started eating normally again. She's still super submissive, but she is eating.

On the roosting, I think you might need to physically put Tilly up on the roost a couple of night in a row. I wrote about that in my other thread too, it didn't take long to get my low girl roosting with the rest of the flock.

I'm certainly not an expert, and don't know if this advice will work if there are just 2 chickens vs. a larger flock. But I think they probably just need a few more days to adjust and they will eventually work it out, with maybe a little help from you.

 

[Acornewell]

I am sure it will work itself out! Birds are funny sometimes and they just need time to adjust.

In my years of experience, all of my birds poke or peck at each other. I think sometimes it is worse that it seems or sounds to us. It is normal for them. That is why the pecking order changes sometimes and a younger hen can go up in the order. Etc.

Was Violet the more dominant of her late companion?

 

[yogamebird]

Thanks for all the great advice!

It's going to be in the 20's tonight so maybe we'll turn off the mild heater. We were using that only for single digits and below. Might that force a snuggle?

I'll take a peek after dark and see how the roosting is going. Logistically it could be pretty difficult to place Tilly on the roost.

Violet's late companion, Henrietta never pecked, but she pushed Violet away from food sometimes.

 

[yogamebird]

Both hens are in the roost!! Hooray!