2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[RobJo]

Hi, Im new to the forum and chickens but Im so addicted and so is my wife who I was really proud of yesterday as she rounded up the chicks and actually handled them

 

Anyway my Q

 

I have 4 16 week old chicks, 3 out of the 4 will come out into the run nearly 80% of the day only going back into the coop on ocassions but 1 Chick will only venture out 20% of the time meaning she spends most of the day in the coop, we have looked at her and she looks well, all eyes and beak clear no visible lice or mites etc, is this common or is there something I can do to get her to be more active with the other 3? Im worried she is not getting as much food or drink as the others?

[Isabel]

Have you seen her eating and drinking? I wonder whether there might be a bit of bullying going on? Am sure someone will advise you soon!

 

Isabel

[Egluntyne]

Sounds like she is the bottom of the pecking order. If she isn't getting change to eat and drink, an extra food and drink station might help. She will be able to sneak a bite when the others aren't looking. Some evergreen branches in the run will give her somewhere to hide too.

[ladyp]

Hi there, new to the forum but have had 8 chicks for about a year now, recently we have lost 2 . The chicken who used to be top dog has now been firmly sent to the bottom of the pile. Although she was laying well and looked healthy. I picked her up yesterday and noticed that she weighed nothing and had lost her breast - have had to separate her as the others were keeping her under the hut all day with no access to food or water, even if i PLACED IT UNDER THE HUT FOR HER! She is now in a little run by herself, not ideal but do ntot want lose another chick - is it possible the others died because fo the same actions? It is not one bully but the majority of the other chickens They have a large run, several water containers and the food is thrown into the run for them to forage for it. They are allowed to free range as much as I can allow and then have access to large garden and field next door.

[alet_chicken]

Hi RobJo, have you had the chicks for long? It could be that she is just taking longer to get used to the new environment, some chickens are more shy than others. In addition to the excellent advice already given, if you are very worried about bullying, then it may help to take her out for half an hour a day so she can eat on her own in peace. (It's important not to take her out for too long.)

 

Hi ladyp, and welcome to the forum too. Could she be poorly? It is sadly not unusual for a flock to all start bullying one of their own if she develops a health problem. Chickens are very good at hiding illness (but of course are experts at spotting it in other chickens). A health problem would also explain her sudden slide down the pecking order - the pecking order is usually quite stable.

[ladyp]

Hi There - since I have removed Chick (once of Chick 'n' Ken) she has picked up, started eating and loves her cosy little house all to herself. She has free run in the garden for an hour or so a day and does go up to the large run to talk to the rest of the flock. If it is their turn to free range, then the Maran goes to speak to her. She actually revels in the extra attention and they can all see each other, they are just apart. Am just waiting for her to start laying again - she is definitely putting on weight as I can no longer feel her breastbone.

 

I think she lost her place as although the smallest of the hens she did have Ken as her henchman and they were both the same breed, now she is alone she can no longer retain that position.