family layer Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hello again Omletters! Honestly - if only I had know that these girls would take as much time as the kids...! I love them to bits, they all have their own personality and are fantastic! I am sure that my hubby thinks I have gone totally doo-laly, talking to birds all the time and about them as if they are real little people running around our turf. They break my heart though. We only got them Saturday, and Tikka will NOT let Masala leave the coop, and as a result, Masala is not eating or drinking unless I have Tikka sitting nicely on my lap (moaning!) or in the coop herself. Masala was giving us "softies" but has now stopped altogether. I know that you are supposed to let them decide the pecking order on their own, but do I close the door to the coop with all the chicken out in the run or just leave them to it altogether. I worry about Masala being unhappy and hungry, she certainly drinks a lot. I thought that Tikka was laying before we got her, but we have had nothing yet. I have put a supermarket egg in the coop, thinking it might "encourage" them, but not sure about it now. (wonder if they understand the printed Lion MarK?) Meanwhile, Mango (the baby one of the lot) should not be laying for a while, but her face seem rather pale and pink. Should I worry? Ahhh! Chicks ... who would have them?! Thank you in advance for your patience reading through this, and your help grateful received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Can you divide the run in some way so that Tikka (I've got a Tikka!) can't prevent Masala from coming out if the coop? If it is food issues that are causing Tikka to behave like this, why not put more food and drink stations out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 It's nearly always about food really. So, could you have food stations dotted around the run, so that Top hen can't be everywhere at once. Also, maybe sprinkle mixed corn sometimes, so that Top hen gets used to feeling that there's enough food for everyone, and the idea that they all feed together. Hope it settles down, let us know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
family layer Posted June 11, 2008 Author Share Posted June 11, 2008 Good idea - I'll try sprinkling some mixed corn in various places in the morning and see how it goes. But unfortunately, splitting up the pen might be a bit more tricky. I'll report back tomorrow. Am off to my perch in a mo! Ni-night and thank you again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Just wishing you and your chooks well. Have a good night's sleep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
family layer Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Hey! Guess what? Sprinkled some mixed corn on the ground in the coop first thing this morning, and Yipeee, Masala came straight down, Tikka left her alone and although she has perched on the ladder today, Tikka doesn't seem to be bullying her half as much (touch wood...). Thank you so much for your advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 That's good news. You could also get a second glug/grub or whatever type of feeder you use and position this somewhere else in the run so that this can be a permanent solution for them all throughout the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
