2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[greyhoundgirl]

My poor little Margot is being bullied by the other 3 hens. Last night she was shoved out of the cube and it took me ages to pick her up and pop her into the nesting box. She's always pushed out of the way when they get treat and I'm having to resort to cunning ways to make sure she gets the runner bean treats too (don't tell OH he doesn't see me picking them)! It's like the worst sort of bullying that you see on the playground. three hens all happy, then Margot on her own. Poor little lamb.

 

What I'm asking is, is this ok and does anyone have any experience of how to deal with this? She's able to eat and drink ok as I seem to have spent the day watching her so she has her needs met with regards food etc. Maybe hens don't have the same type of emotions as us and I'm just transfereing human feelings into them?

 

Any support/ ideas welcome.

Thanks

[chicken bark]

If you can identify the worst bully out of your other three you could try separating the biggest bully for a day or so. When you reintroduce the biggest bully the pecking order will have been shaken up a bit.

 

Alternatively take Margot and one of your others and put them together for a bit. Hopefully they will pal up and so when reintroduced to the others Margot should have an ally.

 

Other than that if there is no blood etc then I should let them get on with it. It may just be her personality.

[Space Chick]

I agree with chicken bark. Maybe some time out with another of the chickens would be good, maybe vary who she has some alone time with, so she gets used to them as individuals.

 

Flock politics will mean that there is always a bottom chicken, as long as she seems happy and healthy this is Ok.

[greyhoundgirl]

Thanks for your sugesstions guys. The top girl is having some time in the cube today whilst the others are out. She is not a happy girl.

But maybe the others will bond a bit more now they are on their own. Fingers crossed.

[lillybettybabs]

My little Margo was being bullied just the same a yours and became ill, She is now in a Eglu next to them being pampered to get her strength back up. I tried to put one of the others with her but they won't let her eat or drink , I may have to get her a little friend

[greyhoundgirl]

Just let Bully Babs out for a bit of FR as they do have to share a bed tonight and she's still a bossy old bag; nothing's changed. I'll try the other method next and keep Margot out tomorrow with a friend, probably the other as she's fairly upfront too. Does anyone else have bossy issues with the ? After that as long as Margot's not being denied food and water I think she may just be a bit of a push over type of hen or maybe she's just

[chicken bark]

I think you may have to stick at it for a few days. Long enough for them to get used to not having the hen around.

 

Good luck with it. As you say at the end of the day as long as she is feeding and drinking I wouldn't worry.

[Yolko]

I've got two girls, Clarissa and Nigella , and have just been given a lovely little Dutch Bantam who is now called Speedy. For the first couple of nights they wouldn't let him into the Egloo, so I revamped a cat basket with straw and a tarp over it and he was quite happy in there, although on another of the nights he slept in the plum tree. After about a week he's now settled into the Egloo where he sleeps in the nesting box and has become friends with Clarissa my red girl. Unfortunately Nigella is still against him, and loses no opportunity to run at him which he deftly sidesteps. The only issue I've now got, apart from behaviour modification for Nigella who is absolutely enormous, is that I'm having to leg it out of bed in the morning when he first starts crowing in case she handbags him. I've managed to get there every morning, but she loses no opportunity as they come out of the Egloo run into their garden to have a go. I'm letting them all come into the garden as well each afternoon, because it's very hot here. And because it's hot at night I leave the actual Egloo door open and just close their run. And I thought looking after children had its' moments.

 

Even though I keep expecting to find him battered and featherless, actually nothing much is happening, and I get the distinct impression that Nigella regards it as amusing as he nips out of her way. I'm hoping in time they'll all settle down and I am actually noticing an improvement so fingers crossed. Good luck to anyone in the same positon. Yolko, and the gang.

[chickyhazel]

If you see any actual pecking you can spray the bully with water or place a hand over their back and hold them so they calm down. If not, keep trying separation.