Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[Magso12]

Well, the big day has arrived. Eglu, two gingernuts and a pepperpot set up in garden. Henrietta and Matilda seem to be settling in well, but poor old queenie has retreated into the eglu. The other two have really been pecking at her and jumping on her. They won't let her near the food or the water. I was expecting some squabbling, but nothing like this. The two gingernuts have really got it in for poor queenie, I know it's very early days, but is there anything I can do to help or do I just let them sort it out themselves - it really is a lot worse than I expected. Help please?

[Egluntyne]

Put out a couple more food and drink stations and she might get a bite to eat.

 

It will settle, but it isn't easy to watch. I'd use a water pistol when they start on her. It will shock them into behaving.

[legend21]

It is really distressing to watch my favourite girl is the one that was bullied, she is still the lowest in the pecking order but it is nowhere as bad as it was at first, I was constantly on the forum asking for advice and I got some great support, water gun or spray bottle is great idea as well as extra feeders, just little cups they cant guard them all, if they get a little free ranging it will help queenie as they will be too interested in the big world to notice her. It will pass and if it is the weekend and you can be with them a bit longer.

 

Good luck we have all been there

 

Jackiex

[Magso12]

Thanks for the replies. You are right, it is horrible to watch. Will put out a couple of extra cups and stand by with the spray. It has calmed down a little bit, but poor queenie is bottom of the pecking order. Have been standing out in the rain watching them! How mad am I, but I'm so excited and fascinated by them.

It is really distressing to watch my favourite girl is the one that was bullied, she is still the lowest in the pecking order but it is nowhere as bad as it was at first, I was constantly on the forum asking for advice and I got some great support, water gun or spray bottle is great idea as well as extra feeders, just little cups they cant guard them all, if they get a little free ranging it will help queenie as they will be too interested in the big world to notice her. It will pass and if it is the weekend and you can be with them a bit longer.

 

Good luck we have all been there

 

Jackiex

[JS1]

Just to say that I was really distressed at the bullying at first too and Ena, who was the bullied one, is still our favourite, even though she's the one who is most aggressive with the ex-batts. I think she's getting in first because she remembers being bullied and doesn't want it to happen again, but my husband thinks I'm daft!

 

Echo the suggestion to put out more food and water stations - that really calmed it down for me too. Is there anyone near at hand who could lend you some until you get to the shops?

[Redwing]

Congratulations on your chooks I can't add anything else to the excellent advice already given, it is very distressing to see the pecking order establish but it will get better honest

[Magso12]

Thanks for replying. Have got a good supply in already! I've put out an extra cup of food, they all seem to be feeding ok now, even queenie. Henrietta seems to be top lady - she's such a bossy madam. I will be going out with their treats in a little while - that will be fun

Just to say that I was really distressed at the bullying at first too and Ena, who was the bullied one, is still our favourite, even though she's the one who is most aggressive with the ex-batts. I think she's getting in first because she remembers being bullied and doesn't want it to happen again, but my husband thinks I'm daft!

 

Echo the suggestion to put out more food and water stations - that really calmed it down for me too. Is there anyone near at hand who could lend you some until you get to the shops?

[shoura]

Is there ALWAYS a pecking order?

I have been lucky with my 4, there has never been any bullying that I'm aware of and I can't really tell what the pecking order is, they all seem to muck in together!!

[Redwing]

Yes there is always a pecking order but sometimes its only as obvious as the last one in the coop/first one out of the coop is the boss, some chooks are more chilled out than others! I have three where the pecking order isnt obvious until iits bed time and one isnt welcome in the coop otherwise they all act in exactly the same way

[chickencam]

I had trouble with my first group, but my second one have been as good as gold, i think it depends if there is a hen that is particularly bossy or one that is very submissive and runs away all the time amking her fair game for the others.

 

It should settle pretty soon, just keep an eye on them and maybe send off for some bumper bits just incase they start to draw blood. Google The Wernlas Collection and give them a call, the bits are usually sent out first class in return for payment in a few postage stamps. They help harmony to come without injury.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Nothing to add to the above really, except to agree that it is distressing to watch the pecking order being established but as long as no blood is drawn and all hens are able to access food and water then it will settle down. Once all the hens have establised their place they will be happy as larry.

 

I echo the advice to stand by with a water pistol or spray bottle - they soon learn and will start to behave as soon as they see you come out of the door with it in your hand!

[Plum]

They might be slightly different ages and as they come into lay the order changes again. Congratulations on getting them.

[Magso12]

Thank you to all who replied. Just to update you, the two GNRs started knocking ten bells out of Queenie. They were both jumping on her at the same time and refusing to allow her to feed or drink. They cornered her in the eglu and things got very nasty. They drew blood. My neighbour (who also keeps chickens) witnessed it all as well, so it's not just me being a nervous first timer! I phoned Omlet who advised me to separate queenie from the other two and she will be returned to omlet on Monday morning. I'm very upset by the whole thing. Queenie is currently residing in a cat basket in the conservatory. She seems quite happy now and quite glad that her ordeal by the other two is over! Henrietta and Matilda have retired for the night (they put themselves to bed without any fuss!) and I am left sitting here wondering if I have done the right thing. Quite shell shocked actually. I know that this is what chickens sometimes do and you have to take the rough with the smooth, but what a first day!

[Chucky1]

Hi Magso, there's never a dull moment with chicken keeping.

 

Sorry that you'll be losing your Queenie - I wouldn't worry about right or wrong - generally I think most people on here do the best they can in the circumstances presented. I don't know what I would have done.

 

There will be ups and downs but this forum is fantastic, for the advice and also the support.

 

We got away quite light with our two lots of chucks - but when the ducks arrived it was WW3 - the super soaker worked a treat and it is quite peronally theraputic

 

All the best and enjoy your chucks

[sallyj]

Magso

You can borrow my spare run tomorrow to put Queenie in. What about the idea of putting one of the others in with her to see if it changes the balance of power? Just an idea.

[Magso12]

Sally, thanks good idea. Will give it a go. I think Henrietta is the boss lady, maybe if we put Matilda in with Queenie they may get used to each other! Feeling a bit better this morning. It was so exciting getting up and opening the door for them Will this chicken madness ever end?!

Magso

You can borrow my spare run tomorrow to put Queenie in. What about the idea of putting one of the others in with her to see if it changes the balance of power? Just an idea.