Tweety Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 One of the chicks I hatched earlier this year, now aged 22 weeks, is noticeably less developed than the others and is very much a loner and bottom of the pecking order. She is smaller than the others, doesn't really have a comb or wattles and still cheeps like a chick. She eats, drinks and poos normally and there is nothing wrong with her legs. However she can't fly like the others, and can't jump up onto a perch. She is a pure breed bantam Frizzle, and I suspect that she may be over frizzled. The others ignore her completely, even the cockerel doesn't bother trying to have his evil way with her and she is always alone. She is obviously not going to mature any further, so I can't see anything changing for her within her flock, but she is not ill or suffering physically, she just seems very lonely and I am trying to think of ways to improve her situation. I would be very grateful for any opinions as to whether or not it would be a good idea to move her out of her present group and get her a little friend or friends from the rare breed sale I am going to next week, on the basis that she might be able to bond with a chook or chooks smaller and younger than herself. Or should I leave things as they are and hope for the best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Im not sure really and more than likely someone much wiser than me will come along soon, but, i have had girls before who just prefer their own company, they all have their own individual personalitys, some like company some dont. If you have the space for more then maybe introducing another one or two may help but it could also go the other way too as introductions are a long process and not guaranteed succesful. Sorry, not much help really was i Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 22 weeks is still young and the heavy breeds arent the fastest maturing I've had a few batches of chicks where one lags behind at the 20 week stage but by the time they are 30 weeks I'd be hard pressed to pick that one out If she isnt getting bullied I think it would be less complicated to leave things as they are rather than rocking to boat with a new addition who may well bully her, she grew up with the others so if she isnt ill they are very unlikely to turn on her now If she is still tiny as time goes on then you can always revisit the situation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I think as long as she isn't being bullied I would be inclined to leave her. I don't think chickens think as we do and as long as she knows her place in the pecking order she probably feels quite secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 My blue girl, Flo, is also bottom of the pecking order and was initially the smallest but suddenly had a growing spurt and caught up. However at one and a half years old she still just cheeps like a chick and is very sweet. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 Thank you all very much for your advice. I will leave things as they are, rather than risk making them worse for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
