4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[claireb]

Hello, I'm fairly new to keeping chickens, we had our three girls delivered from omlet 11 weeks ago, Marjoire, Betty and Penelope. Two of the chickens have come on really well, they are sprightly, have big red combs and lay every day. Marjorie however has hardly any comb at all, is definitly at the bottom of the pecking order, doesnt seem to eat as much as the other two and is a shy timid bird. When they were delivered the man thought she was younger than the others. Im just a bit worried that she is unhappy, any advice would be greatfully recieved!!

Claire

[beach chick]

I think she's prob just a bit younger, but I'm sure she'll get there in the end! if you see any signs of real ill health (coughing, sneezing, total lethargy) then check with the vet, but at this state I would just wait and see.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hello Claire & welcome to the forum .

 

I think some hens just develop more slowly than others (and if she is younger than the others, that would explain it too). If you think she looks healthy and there are no signs of worms or lice or illhealth (as Beach Chick says) she's probably just a late developer.

 

You say she eats less than the others. This would be normal at the moment as laying hens eat a lot more than non-laying. Is she happy to eat treats or corn?

[clongmoor]

Hi, if you have a look at my message I just posted our girls were just the same. One started laying after about 2 weeks and the other has taken 4 months so she was obviously much much younger. They are both fine though and the late developer has caught up with eating and combwise if you know what I mean!

 

Claire

[claireb]

Thankyou for the reassurance!! Marjorie seems healthy, no signs of ill health. She does enjoy treats and corn but not as eager as the other two.

[helenmb]

Is Marjorie laying yet, as if she isn't and the others are then she will eat less food as they need more energy for egg production. Sounds like she is younger hence the lowest in the pecking order. Some do take longer to mature so unless she is not eating and drinking at all and seems ok in herself then she is probably ok.

 

If the others are a bit bigger she is probably a bit intimidated when getting treats by the other girls as my younger hens have to stand back a bit to let the big girls in first otherwise they get told off or trampled in the frenzy .

[3happyhens]

Your question is identical to one I put up a few months ago! Have 3 hens & my little Gingernut Ranger (Nell) was exactly like your hen & she's thriving now. I'm sure you'll find that she's that bit younger & therefore a bit of a late developer.

 

Kate

& hens arrived 15.7.08

7.8.08

18.8.08

1.9.08

1 cat

1 husband

2 daughters