Unsecure chicken perches

[lakeiris]

Hello! I just got an Eglu Go and two chickens from a local farmer, a red star and an araucana, brand new to having chickens. The first day went ok, but today the red star, Lobelia, started bullying the araucana, keeping her away from food and water. She mainly hid inside the Go, I brought her some separate food and water. Later in the day there was a drop of blood above her beak. I wiped it off and put a little antibiotic ointment on it. Is this something that they will just sort out? I'm worried that Lobelia will hurt her.

Thanks for advice!

[Egluntyne]

It is perfectly normal, and should sort itself out in time ... but it isn't easy to watch.

 

Perhaps you could put something like a broom handle, slotted through the mesh, to creat a perch for her to escape too.

 

Try scattering meal worms or corn , to encourage them to eat together. The squabbles are usually all food led, so if the boss gets to see that there is plenty to go round, she'll lighten up, eventually.

[hammy72]

I have had my 2 chickens for 2 weeks and Tikka has come out "top-hen" after spending a couple of days pecking Snowflake when she went near the food and chasing her back in to the house. I think now that she has realised that there is plentiful supply of food she is more relaxed, just the odd peck now and again if they are eating corn from my hand. She didn't ever draw blood tho'! At night I find them cuddled up together in their eglu home so they must like each other really!!!

[lakeiris]

Thanks. I knew they would be sorting out the pecking order but was worried by the blood and if it would escalate. Where do you get mealworms, generally (I'm in the US)? We've been tossing them Japanese beetles and corn. Lobelia has let Eglantine drink today which is a relief as it's pretty hot here.

[Egluntyne]

I love the names of your hens!

[Treacle]

I have 4 hens and two of them are bullying the other two and they have been together for a couple of months I hope it sorts itself out soon!

[LunaKiw1]

We found putting extra feeding stations in the WIR; scattering corn on the ground and placing a large log inside the WIR for anyone feeling vulnerable to stand on, all helped our 3 sort themselves out. And loads of patience!