young brahma roo behavior*update 2*

[artsyrobin]

Ok, now for a question- CT,crooked tail)- i guess is 2nd roo decided it was time to declare himself and barny just stood there like 'huh?' but one of the hens went over and laid into pecking his head till CT left Lily alone- then goes chasing some pullets that haven't laid eggs yet- will the alpha roo 'read him from the book?' and put him in his place? they were raised together and there has been no sign of trouble with them... i will be getting more pullet chicks sometime this month to increase the hen to roo ratio, but don't want to go much past 15 hens... barny meanwhile is learning, and noticed he is starting to sweet talk the ladies

 

[artsyrobin]

a bit of an update, most everyone has settled down into their respective places. i do have one problem- my little cochin, pj is hiding in the coop to stay away from barny, as soon as she hops down into the run he chases her and she runs and hides under a log.... all the other gals have accepted him- i have removed her for the day, she ate like she hadn't been eating at all- do i have a prospective house chicken? any ideas? she sleeps alone in a corner of the coop, and is apparently an outcast most of the time, she has always been low on the pecking order

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I let my outcast find her own way in the flock, since no one is causing her physical harm. She sometimes takes up with my half-blind hen, but most of the time is perfectly content to be by herself. I've seen her sneak back into the coop to eat after everyone is out for the day.
Other than checking her crop at night to make sure she's had enough to eat, I let her go her own way.

 

[artsyrobin]

Thanks! well, i guess for now the best thing is just watch it close, i let everyone out this afternoon, after she made it clear she wanted to be with the flock, later i noticed she was fine with the other girls, so maybe a little time out a day will help...thanks!

 

[artsyrobin]

another update, sigh, flock dynamics are strange- PJ has pretty much accepted the roo, but now the other hens are beating up on her, her comb is bleeding- i pulled her out again today- got to thinking, wonder if she could be integrated into the little banty flock? 2 silkies, a duccle and ee/cochin mix? what do you all think?