Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[JM]

Hi Everyone

 

We were away on holiday last week. Before we went, all was calm among our 3 chickens. As our netting is being nibbled by rabbits at the moment, they had been in the cube run (+ 2 extensions) for the week. And of course we had the heatwave last week.

 

When we came back, it seemed like our remaining original hen (Daphne) had been bullying one of the newer hens (Freda). Every time Daphne comes near Freda, Freda fluffs herself up, puts her wings behind her (like a swan does when it's aggressive/defensive) and makes a sort of growling noise, then runs away. Daphne does seem to go for her, but I am beginning to wonder if she is going for her because she sees an aggressive hen???? Freda is OK with Agnes, our other hen, but at night Freda is to be found nestled up with Daphne in the nest box

 

Freda is also spending a lot of time in the nest box - which I thought may be to keep out of the way, but I'm beginning to wonder if she's going broody. (Her comb is red, she looks healthy - just seems very hormonal!). I just turfed her out of the nest box and took the egg she was sitting on, but as soon as I closed the door, she went back in and growled at me when I opened the door again...

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks - Jill

[henaddict]

I suspect, both! I have four hens, two original hybrids plus 2 pure breeds. The latter are showing more broodiness, particularly the blue cochin and I have found that when either of them is broody they are "targeted" for hen-pecking, almost as though they are considered to be different or a threat. As soon as the broodiness is over and they are laying again peace reigns. By the way, I haven't yet found an answer to keeping one hen off the nest in a Cube where there are others wanting to lay. Hope this helps!

[JM]

Thanks. I'm sure it's broodiness now - she growls at me when I open the door to the nest box (but she's quite happy to be hand fed pellets and mealworms!).

 

I put my hand under her this morning to see if she was sitting on one of Daphne's eggs, and she started to cuddle my hand and sit on it!! (ahhh!)