What to do about my Queen B's!

[hippiechick86]

Ok here's my first question for you guys. Three weeks ago we got 6 adult hens all from the same place and they have grown up together so everything was great. They adjusted nicely to our place but I noticed first day the buff Orpington had a pasty butt and no one else did but I've never had chickens so I didn't think too much about it. She acted normal and continued to eat and drink but on the fourth day I came home from work and she was dead. I still have no idea what was wrong with her other than her rear end being messy so I waited 2 weeks to make sure the rest of the flock was ok and 2 days ago my cousin gave me another hen to replace the buff that died (another buff). Well my other girls are treating this new one like a red headed step child and I feel so bad for her! I thought they would recognize each other since they all came from the same place but they are being total B's! Are they just reestablishing pecking order or what?? I also found out today that this newbie is only 4 months old. Any advice y'all can give me would be greatly appreciated!! I'm so new to this chicken thing and I just want happy and healthy chickens that all get along! Thank you!!

 

[GitaBooks]

Lone hens are more likely to bullied than groups, or so I've heard.
Try putting her in a separate pen for a while (one where they can see but not touch each other), as being chased is very stressful on her. She is young and if you could, acquiring a pullet of similar age, one perhaps she grew up with, that could be her buddy while the others get use to her.

Best of luck to you.

 

[hippiechick86]

Thank you for the advice! I do not have another pen but I do have some chicken wire that I might could use to close off a section of the pen with to get them separated. I can also see if I could get another one of her age to add in there with her so she won't be alone. Will she roost on a pole that's not enclosed? She has been sleeping in the coop at night with the others and they have been a little chatty about it at first but then they get quiet and go on to sleep. Thanks so much for the help, I'm ready to get home from work so I can see how they've done together today.

 

[GitaBooks]

Some chickens prefer to roost outside even, so if you provide a perch she'll probably use it. However, if they get along at night then you could continue locking them up together. the problem arises in the morning, when they are locked up together and anxious to get out.

Hope it all works out!