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

[Eggquisite]

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 !!

[Patricia W]

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

[Olly]

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.

[Eggquisite]

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 !

[ubereglu]

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!