Stella14 Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 (edited) Those who saw my earlier thread will have seen that we got our first hens 2 days ago. A buff Orpington, a white Sussex hybrid, a rhode rock and a bluehaze. The rhode rock quickly established herself as head hen, but there was no major aggression. The white sussex was always confident with her. The first morning the Orpington wouldn't venture past the rhode rock so was stuck at the top of the ramp. Eventually, I interfered and brought her (and the bluehaze who remained roosting in the coop) down as I felt it had been too long for my comfort since they had access to water. From then the Orpington was also fine. So all 3 apart from the BH were happy. The BH though spent the afternoon huddled in a corner and wouldn't go into the coop for bed We intervened and put her in, but then she wouldn't come out this morning. By 11am, we intervened again (again due to concern about hydration etc). The others were free ranging outside of the run by this point, yet she still just stood staring, no eating, drinking or scratching. After a while I telephoned the supplier and she said that as she was still behaving as if she was very depressed even when the others were not around, I should consider taking her back and swapping her for another bird. She said she had obviously been quite stressed by the move etc and that if we might need to do this, it would be better to so ASAP, both for the hierarchy and also because she and I were concerned that her health would soon start to suffer. I gave her another hour. There was no improvement, so we took her back. We ended up taking a lace barnavelder. She is a beautiful bird and she went straight down into the run, told the others that she was in charge 'thank you very much'. What was really interesting was that when the rhode rock accepted that, the other two previously totally laid back 'take it as it comes' girls, both had a good peck at the rhode rock as if too say 'and actually you are further down the pecking order than us now, so there'. Fortunately, we were able to whitness everyone accepting the new arrangements, eating and drinking. Within half an hour dusk was drawing in and Harriet the rhode rock took herself to bed long before the others. I gave the supplier (of some, breeder of others) a ring to let her know and ask about the BH and thankfully she is picking up now it seems. Phew Edited November 16, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 I've got a Barnevelder, so pretty, I can't wait for her to be a nice big fat hen. It was probably for the best that you returned the peaky one to the breeder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 They are beautiful, lucky you. Poor old rhode rock what a comeuppance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella14 Posted November 16, 2010 Author Share Posted November 16, 2010 Mmmm . . . we just had to manhandle the Orpington and the Barnevelder into the coop as the had gone to sleep huddled in the run (no easy task to grab them when the run is not human height and we're reaching through the little door ). This will get easier right guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Oh yes, in a few weeks you'll wonder how you got on without them .I've got two orps. Had a wooden coop and they wouldn't go up ramp so HAD to get eglu go . Now they are in as soon as dusk comes and eventually come out in the morning. When i let them out into garden and it's too cold they look at me as if to say "what me, go out there - no way" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 In all the books about breeds the Barnvelder always looks and sounds so nice. That's a breed I have on my short (well, OK long ) list together with an Orpington and a Scotts Dumpy and an ex Bat or two. Still that is for another life when I have a bigger garden and can have the big girls. Any pictures? I'm prepared to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Glad you managed to come up with a solution that suited everyone. It gets easier very quickly. I'd love to see pictures of your hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella14 Posted November 17, 2010 Author Share Posted November 17, 2010 Thanks guys, further negotiations have been taking place today between Harriet, the Rhode Rock (who is currently back to being head hen) and Charlotte, the Barnevelder (who is not a happy bunny, eh hem, I mean hen!). Nothing too nasty though. It all seems quite healthy. I will be working on the pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
