mrs chook Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Hi I have Bertha (3yrs old) and Cassie and Margot (both 18 mths old). Recently Bertha has started to hide in the eglu in the day, been reluctant to come out in the morning etc. I had wondered if she was ill/on the way out . Although, now I have seen her eat, drink, preen as normal and she has laid eggs. There have since been a few occasions where Cassie has been what seems to be re-asserting her dominance in the pecking order. She has jumped onto Bertha, pecking her feathers and chasing her away from food etc etc . Even Margot joined in (who's usually 3rd in pecking order ) and I don't know whether to separate her. If this resolves soon it will be ok, but I am not sure what to do?? Pls help and sorry for long explanation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Might be worth removing the bully for a few days. Have you given Bertha a thorough health check? They can hide the fact that they are ill pretty well, and once the others sense it, it can cause this sort of behaviour. Extra food and drink stations might help too, especially if they are preventing her from eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 Aw thanks Egluntne, I knew I'd be able to count on you. So remove the bully rather than the bullied? Sounds logical. I have held Bertha and examined her a couple of times in the last few days - no visible probs and as I said eating, drinking, laying well (hasn't laid for last day or two but weather/stress may not be helping) If I remove bully and see how Bertha is, maybe a trip to vet if anything else becomes apparent?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I agree with Egluntyne. Strange that Bertha didn't come out of the eglu for a while I wonder if she was poorly and like Egluntyne said that the others may have picked up on it. Hopefully this bullying wont carry on too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Just a thought is Cassie still laying, wondered if she might be one of these chickens who has a bit of a sex change and gets dominant. No that's probably rubbish. Hope they settle with Egluntynes advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 well I wondered that!! She is pretty vocal at and her comb is big and very red, wondered about hormonal surges!! still laying though, so is Bertha generally. Margot is on a hyper mault (?) so is not at the mo (in November if you please ) Strange thing is they all settle into the eglu at night together and that seems to be fine, just in the morning the other two charge out and Bertha is still in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
