Unsecure chicken perches

[Slickchick]

Good morning all,

 

Just a few questions from another worried newbie, Our new girls took themselves to bed at around 8.30 last night, all was quiet when my DH checked on them at 11pm. We where all up very early this morning let the girls out at around 7.15am Our , Ginger whom is 22 wks does't seem to be letting the other girls , Bella 14 wks and , Primrose 12 wks out of the eglu, Primrose keeps coming out and is then chased back into the eglu, same with Bella. Worried they seem to be wanting to come and feed but are not getting a chance, do you think i should put another bowl of food down for two younger girls or is this something they will eventually sort out amongst themselves ?, anyones advice would be verry welcome.

 

Thank you in advance Lyndsey.

[Falkor]

I would say extra feed and water stations are a must..... you could also try seperating Ginger in the run whilst the other two free range and scratch feed them along the mesh so that they get used to sharing food. Hopefully with the extra stations and group feeding Ginger will learn that there is enough food for everyone.

 

22w, 14w and 11w is quite an age difference and i would assume quite a size difference so keep an eye on it

[Yolky]

How long have they been together? I am not sure a 22week hen should be with an 11 weeker. I may be wrong though.

[Budgies]

That is a big age difference, and I'm assuming Ginger is lots bigger.

 

To stop her asserting herself so much, do what Palmer07 suggested, and remove Ginger. Let the other two do what they want, certainly put out extra food and water stations.

 

If she's being very aggressive, you might want to give her a squirt with a water pistol or similar, to put her in her place.

[Slickchick]

Thank you all for your kind replies, we made the decision to call the lady at the farm we had the chickens from and ask her if she would take Ginger back, i was sick with worry for the younger girls after reading your replies especially as we didn't have any means of segregating Ginger from the other two girls. It was a really hard decision as she really was a lovely character.

We got to change Ginger for a lovely Specledy 12 wks whom we have called Bonnie-blue, she has fitted in no probs with Bella and Primrose, almost like they all already new each other. Thank you all once again for the advice given, will try and post some piccies when DH is back this evening.

 

Lyndsey

[Egluntyne]

Well done. It is never a good idea to have a much older hen in with little 'uns..

 

Lets be having some photos.

[Yolky]

I am glad you were able to sort it out in the end. Enjoy your hens.

[Ness3103]

glad you got it sorted, can't wait to see the pics

[poachedegg]

Glad you now have harmony - enjoy!