Cranfield Kate Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 okay I know the answer to this is generally no BUT she has a bad leg (we're off to the vet tomorrow) and she's limping. plus she spends ALL day alone in the nesting box and if I let them out to FR she is on her own then too as the Evil Twins don't let her near them. as she spends all her time alone anyway, should I just move her into her own (rather nice) quarters? or is this a supremely bad idea? help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I'm sorry to hear that she is having such a hard time. Is she bullied by all of your other hens, or just one in particular? If it's just one, I would be tempted to remove the bully for a few days and see if that makes any difference. If all are bullying her, could you separate her from the bullies and maybe get a friend for her? As you say, a lone hen is usually better off with some company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 Poor chicken How long have they been together? It can take a while for them to all get on together. Has she been bullied only since the bad leg or before as well? I don't think she would be happy on her own, although that might be a good idea while her leg gets better - I'm thinking that might be why the others are picking on her? If you have seperate accommodation for her, would there be space for another hen to join her (when she is back to full health) She would be the dominant one if a new hen was introduced, then maybe gradually introduce this pair to the others. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 Will she be within sight and sound of the other two? If she is then she won't really be alone but she'll be safe from their bullying and should hopefully come out of her shell a little. Once she's recovered physically and mentally you could think about getting her a companion - maybe a younger friend who won't dominate her. My LS bantam, Mrs White, came to live with me 18 months ago because she was bullied by her original flock. She joined my non-laying bantams at the time as they were more docile but it still took her a long time to recover and she used to run and hide every time any of them came near her, even though they were being friendly. She's still quite nervous and I'm not looking forward to re-introducing her once her period of motherhood is over. Hope this helps a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 She was always bottom of the pecking order (they've been together since October) but everything was very calm and no one gave her a hard time. then when Trumpet got taken by the fox last week it all went very wrong. and since then she's started limping too. she is being bullied by two hens and the other one just ignores her. Frankly I'd like to get rid of the two bullies. does anyone want a pair of evil ratbags that don't lay eggs any more? sigh. I could put her and the one hen who ignores her into the separate run but it's smaller and that doesn't seem fair on the fit hen. she's starting to not be very chicken-y which is exactly what happened with Peeper before she died... she just doesn;t do chicken things but instead looks like a rather sad, doolally old lady... I just want her to not be utterly miserable/bullied for what might be her twilight weeks/months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 Sounds like she might be better on her own for now - especially if she can see the others, and maybe free range with them sometimes. Might give her chance to recover. Maybe re-introduce her sometime when she is feeling stronger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 okay. thanks everyone. if anyone feels strongly that this is a Very Bad Idea, please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I'd split one of the bullies off and out of sight for a week or so, let the two remianing ones bond then reintroduce the other one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 she is being bullied by two hens and the other one just ignores her. Frankly I'd like to get rid of the two bullies. does anyone want a pair of evil ratbags that don't lay eggs any more? sigh. You're not selling them too well This won't make me the most popular person on the forum but a couple of years ago my oldest hen was being hassled constantly by another of my bantams. She wasn't drawing blood or pulling feathers, just not giving her any peace, constantly chasing her from wherever she was hiding and generally making her very miserable. The final straw was when I could find her and searched high and low - she had tucked herself behind the aubiose and feed bin in my shed/greenhouse. I got my husband to cull the bully for the sake of my old lady and I would certainly do it again. Sometimes the bullying inflicts psychological injuries rather than physical and the recipient learns to behave like a victim. Removing the bully for a week then reintroducing her often won't be long enough for the bullied hen to regain her confidence and stand up for herself. Personally I'd set up a new home for her and allow her to enjoy a peaceful retirement. I really hope it works out for you ... and her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I'd split one of the bullies off and out of sight for a week or so, let the two remianing ones bond then reintroduce the other one This would be my suggestion too. Divide and conquer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossco Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 i agree with red wing and egluntyne. or you could have the worst bully for sunday roast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzannejoy Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I have a simalar problem . Have got 3 oldies and then slowly introduced 5 exbats but for some reason one of the exbats called paula gets very bullied . I tried distractions sqirking with water more free ranging but nothing worked . Paula became very depressed and wouldnt come out of the cube . Then I saw blood and that was that I separated paula to give her a break from the lot of them .Not an idea thing in my small garden but had to be done . Shes alot happier and her feathers are growing back just dont know what Im going to do with her I love her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billathome65 Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 okay. thanks everyone. if anyone feels strongly that this is a Very Bad Idea, please let me know. You know you birds and you are the one who has to make the decision based on what you feel is best. You already know the normal answers but as this is a difficult situation you know everyone would understand you acting in her best interest so chop her head off ( ONLY JOKING STOP ) separate her and show her lots of love.... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 Last night I had friends staying and they were out with me while I got the littler coop ready for Scrawny to go into and my friend Natalie said "why don't you stick the two horrible ones in there? let them think over what they've done, and let Scrawny stay in the big coop with the other nice chicken?" and I thought yes! why should Scrawny live alone in the little coop ("Jail" Natalie said) alone when they're the horrible ones. So the bullies were moved and we got to provide the kids with a nice life lesson too. ("why are those chickens going to jail?" "because they've been horrible and hurt the little chicken. that's what happens if you're not very nice. you go to jail.") weirdly, they seem fine in their new, smaller quarters. okay i now have to muck out two coops a week but it;s a small price to pay for peace on earth. not sure how long this will last - if Scrawny does go to the big coop in the sky then i think i'll put all three back together again and i believe Boadicea will once again be on top. however, frankly, I would be very happy to cull Atila and Bertha. Atila was NEVER very nice and used to terrorise Bertha and Peeper. Bertha used to be very swiss and stay neutral but recently she has become nasty too. But I just can't face killing something because I don't like it very much. although if someone could slaughter them for me I would be happy to roast them with some orange and garlic so their death would be for a purpose. but fundamentally I'm with Jools - i think the good of the flock comes first - bullies should be eaten. but while I was thinking over all this it opened up a massive existential debate in my head about "playing god" with the girls. is it my place to make this decision? maybe yes because they are my responsibility; but maybe no because does my having brought them together make me responsible for them? then it was only a hop, skip and jump to a theological conversation with myself about God and his role in our lives (not sure I believe in God or any god, but this was an interesting conversation with myself....) thansk for listening and commenting everyone - your advice has made scrawny much happier and safer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
