MummyHen Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 I have two buff Orpington who are very aggressive and are kept separate from my other three hybrids. I allow them to roam free all together for about 2 hours each day. Some days the aggression is low and only a few bottom pecks but other times the two orpys work as a pair, pin down one of the others, stand on her and give her a real seeing too, which is just horrid. One thing I have noticed with the orpys is that they don't eating much. I give them Organic Omlet Chicken Feed which is like a crumb, some mixed corn, some shell/grit, a small handful of mealworns & some greens on alternate days. I have also tried them on Organic Pellets. They won't eat out of the grub so have a shallow bowl/dish - I replenish with fresh daily but the amount in the dish doesn't seem to go down. Do you think that the aggression could be linked to hunger? How much should I be feeding them each day? Willing to try anything as they are such beautiful girls - picture of them enjoying a sand bath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Wow...I never heard of an aggressive Orp before....normally it is my hybrids that cause the problems. How old are the Orps? Are they laying yet? If it were me I would: - Stop all free ranging for the Orps for a little while and only give them their layers pellets/mash. They may be holding out for FR time and then gobbling up garden goodies. - if this doesn`t work then maybe try another feed. My lot wouln`t touch the organic stuff for some reason. - I would let the others free range around the Orps run for a couple of weeks to get the Orps used to the idea of them being around but not being able to "get at them" - set up a feed station for the other girls just outside of the Orp run so they can eat "together" - and then follow the introductions sticky from the forum. If you want to let the Orps free range after a week or so then I would do it for an hour or two just before bedtime. Also...I would play cockeral (not literally!!) but I would place my hand on the chooks back and hold them in place firmly to immitate cock behaviour and install the idea in the chook that I am top chook and not them. If you can do this when they go for the other girls this can help too. BUT that is just what I would do...others may have other ideas for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 I agree with Falkor's suggestions. In particular, I would not let then have anything other than pellets and water. They won't starve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 25, 2010 Author Share Posted April 25, 2010 Thank you for the replies. Since Thursday the Orpys have had nothing but pellets and water, they've not been free ranging, either on their own or with the others. The hybrids have free ranged everyday and are just loving the good weather. I've moved the feeders and water to outside their cage when the others are FRing, and they go nuts when the others eat or drink. [head bobbing, pacing up & down, trying to get to the others through the wire] The Orpys are not eating the pellets, the grass is nearly all gone (in a with 3meters). I'm still concered that they are very hungry. Should I try grinding some pellets to a powder? or can someone suggest a feed that's not pellets or the small crumb? They had been laying but not for over 10days now, the breader told me they were 9months old @ beginning of April. Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 I wouldn`t worry too much about the Orpys creating when the others are about eating...they are just trying to assert dominance. Regarding them still not eating - - Are you sure they are not eating anything at all? Omlet says grown chooks should eat 120-150g of feed a day although this is variable due to difference in breeds, size etc and this is not that much when you think how much a traditional or grub feeder can hold. - You could weigh out the feed for a day and then weigh it again once they are in bed to see if they hace been eating. -you could try making the pellets into porridge by adding some boiling water, giving it a stir and then allowing it to cool to eating temp. - you could change brands of feed. My local feed place has poultry feed loose to buy by the scoop and if you are lucky enough to have this local to you too it is a good way of seeing if it they prefer another brand without investing in a whole sack. Are there any other people that keep chooks local to you that you could perhaps get a few scoops of their feed to try? - as well as pellets and crumb you can buy layers feed in the form of mash. BUT remember they have only been in the run since Thursday and had all the grass to eat so they may still be holding out and enjoying the greenery before considering the pellets. Hope my ramblings have helped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 My Orpys are still not eating - I've made the pudding as mentioned and they didn't touch it (Sun & Mon). Tuesday I weighed out 400gs of feed and weighed back in 394gs - the grass is now all gone and am worried they are hungry. I check them over each day and they have clean bottoms and a very empty crop. They laid on Tuesday and today but had eaten the eggs (1 each time). I've still not allowed them to FR either on their own or with the other three (last time was week ago) I'm now thinking they would be better if I returned them to the breeder The hybrid three are going from strength to strength - two of the three are laying. Just very concerned about the Orpys Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 I am sorry to hear that you are still having problems with the Orpies Have you checked their crops at bedtime? Do they feel full? Egg eating isn`t ideal but at least they are getting some nutrients How about calling the breeder and talking through your problems with them? The breeder may be able to tell you what feed they were on when they were with him/her and you could try feeding the same to see if that helps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 Thanks for your response I will check their crops at bed time - have been doing in the morning I have been in touch with the breeder and use the same feed. The breeder has offfered to have them back and swop them for another two orpys that were in the same pen - but I'm not sure. Or for two other breeds - I think a Sussex or another Orpy but different colour. Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Hi Rachel, Try not to worry too much, Chickens are a bit like very naughty toddlers I see from your post that you are a fairly new hen mummy, its very confusing for the first few months, but im sure they wont starve, I'v just started being tough with mine ( has taken a year ) If you needed some one to talk to, by no means an eggspert but only live down the road ( I think ) PM me and may be I can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 Margaret Yes we're neigbours I'm a new mummyhen but they don't eat and that can't be right The others eat loads 500-600gs a day - yes I've gone very OCD and weigh all the food now Do you have a WIR or let yours FR? Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Until 3 weeks ago they were allowed out in the evenings and weekends, but they totally destroyed my garden.. Year before last I was awarded Silver Gilt for my garden, last year Silver and this year I wont be entering. They do have a large WIR, got home from work last night let them out and the started digging up the new turf so put them back in, they do have a side bit of garden attached that they are allowed to trash though My girls didnt eat hardly anything for a good 2 months, was really worried, but changed from pelletts to Wiggly Wigglers mash with Boraski Bran, they started laying and now they cost me a fortune in food. BE STRONG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 Margaret Silver Gilt and Silver - you must have a wonderful garden - I can only dream Where do you get your feed from - I've never heard of Wiggly Wigglers or Boraski Bran ? Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 www.wigglywigglers.co.uk Bokashi Bran stops their poo smelling and is good for their tummys, ( learnt that from omlet forum ) Actually learn every thing from here, its the only food they will eat, but saying that when I go on holiday I take them to Mumbles farm and she gives them pelletts and they cope and dont seem to loose weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 http://www.wigglywigglers.co.ukBokashi Bran stops their poo smelling and is good for their tummys, ( learnt that from omlet forum ) Actually learn every thing from here, its the only food they will eat, but saying that when I go on holiday I take them to Mumbles farm and she gives them pelletts and they cope and dont seem to loose weight. That's because you are their mum & they have you wrapped around their little toes Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted April 29, 2010 Author Share Posted April 29, 2010 Margaret It was really nice to met you and thanks so very much - I gave the orpys the Wiggly Wigglers mash and they just love it I will be putting in a big order - perhaps now that they seem to be eating they'll calm down a little. Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Your very welcome, lovely to have met another Chicken Mummy. Just one thing if you are going to place an order, try and order in bulk as the delivery charge soon adds up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
