Eggquisite Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Looking for a little bit of advise please.. As usual we let our girls out this morning around 6.30am, Rhubarb & Custard (our Light Sussex) were straight out as normal.. but our 3 Frizzles didn't show. Within seconds Custard was no-where to be seen & had gone back inside the Eglu - this never normally happens! Anyway, after 45 mins sill no sign of the 4 girls & Rhubarb is strutting up & down upside on her own. Then.. Muffin (Frizzle) appeared outside & Rhubarb ran over to her & pecked her until she ran back inside the Eglu too! This has never happened before - normally the girls are all playing & enjoying the dust bath together... not at the moment!!! Rhubarb is c. 17 weeks & the others 15-16 weeks old, they have all been together from day one as we picked them up all on the same day - to date there has been no issue.. Any idea's, I really hope they're all ok !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 It sounds as though Rhubarb is asserting her authority as head chook. Make sure the others can get to food and drink. Remove her for a while if it turns into a real problem may work. She'll go down the pecking order. Try and nip it in the bud. Others with more experience will be along soon Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 I'd agree with what Patricia says - she is a bit older and perhaps a bit bigger than the others, and had decided it's time she became Head Girl. One of them has to be on top! I'd add a couple of extra food and water stations - just ice-cream tubs or something will do on a temporary basis - to make sure the others can eat and drink, she can only guard one at a time. Keep an eye on things to make sure it's just an odd peck to keep them in order, and not doing any damage. They'll soon sort themselves out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggquisite Posted July 23, 2009 Author Share Posted July 23, 2009 Thanks for your feedback, really appreciated.. Fingers crossed Madam Chook doesn't take too long about it Will be keeping a close watch on them all ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 I agree, I presume they're all coming into lay at the minute too and this is usually the time when pecking orders are sorted to find the dominant hen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
