Eglu Cube Coop and Accessories

[amys garden]

We have a new trio of girls

Hazel (maran curvier) is bullying Dottie (barred rock)

Hazel pecks,runs at her and shoos Dottie away from Flo our other girl

(Sussex )

Dottie is the smallest friendliest and most curious of all the girls and

I feel very protective of her, rediculous I know but Hazel even looks like

She's frowning when she charges

So far I haven't intervened and keep reading contradicting advice

They've been with us since Saturday

Help!

[Olly]

Welcome to the forum.

 

Is any blood being drawn? If not, I would just let them get on with it. It looks upsetting to us, but they need to sort out the pecking order, and then everyone feels secure. It's almost impossible to influence this, and if you try to change it then it just leaves the hens confused - they need an order of status.

 

It might be worth putting in an extra feeding station - ice-cream tubs or cat bowls or something will do temporarily - just to make sure that Dottie can get food and water. Hazel won't be able to guard two at the same time. They will settle down - Dottie may end up as 'bottom' chicken, especially if she is smaller than the other two, but she will be fine. Chickens don't get hurt feelings like we do!

[jackian]

I had some screaming and bullying from one of my new girls.It was so bad I..

wrote on here about it ,

went round to my neighbour to say sorry for the noise,

was nearly in tears,

wondered if I had done the right thing.

3 weeks later they were the best of pals.Now Poppy (the bully) and Rosie (bottom of the pecking order) are the best of friends.

If it carrys oin too long seperate the bully from the others for a while to put her in her place.

[amys garden]

Thanks so much for your advice!

I was worrying I done a crazy foisting the girls on my family and then

Finding they are fighting so much

It's great to know I haven't done something terribly wrong and other peoples girls also fought

I'm realy enjoying their company in the garden

There plumage is SO beautiful and they are such funny characters

 

Ps how do you get to put those great icons showing your pets on your

Status?

[Olly]

Instructions for adding icons to your signature are here.

[amys garden]

Thanks for the info

Couldn't find the sign prob cause I do it all from my I-phone ...

The girls seem to be happier - no blood yet