Solitary chicken - need advice

[Mrs_B]

Hello, all!! It's been a while. I have been going through some tough medical issues, plus I went through IVF and found out I am pregnant - so all a bit crazy!

 

Anyway, some of you may remember I had some bullying issues a while ago, this was fixed and finally I had some harmony. However my hen Big Sister has been attacked by all the other hens in the last few days. She has her second hormone implant to stop her laying and this fixed her laying issues, but I can only think the sudden aggressive bullying is because she's poorly. I took her to the vets on Friday, she couldn't see or feel anything obvious - but yesterday I found them all in the coop bullying her which I've never seen before. Big Sister's usually second top hen and takes no messing, but even the bottom two (who are normally very very placid) are in on it. They've all had some probiotic, but doesn't seem to make much difference to Big Sister. She's eating and drinking, but not as much from what I can tell.

 

I have been reluctant to separate as I worry about reintroducing and making it ten times worse - but should I do this. This morning hasn't been too bad, I sprayed her with a lot of anti pecking spray and purple spray where half her tail feathers have been ripped out.

 

There's a specialist poultry vet who did her implant who I might call, but not sure what they can do.

 

x

[Beantree]

For the first time this year we have noticed a lot of aggression between hens Mrs_B, where previously it had only been 'Spring madness' in cockerels. I think it may be due to protecting their food ranging areas because they are all coming into lay and previously we were not that observant. Ours have 15m2 free ranging each and are still doing it. So far the damage has been limited to that sustained trying to fight through the chicken wire. If yours is a case of the same thing only a dramatic increase in free ranging space or complete separation will be your choices. I'd be inclined to separate Big Sister anyway, because bullying is going to make her ill. But expect it to break out between the others when she has gone.

 

How much space do they have in the run and coop?

[Mrs_B]

Very good point, Beantree! The others have started coming into lay (well the White Star was laying throughout winter, but the others took a break) and Big Sister doesn't lay, so this really makes some sense. I will separate Big Sister today to give her a break and give her some nutri drops. They are in approx 12 x 9 ft of space in a walk in run and a coop off the ground. We have foxes in the area which don't care what time of day it is, my neighbours have all had many chickens taken during the day so free ranging is a bit of a high risk, even with netting.

 

They are all due to go to chicken boarding for 5 days when I get married in March as I'll be away from home and I am worried about this (maybe I should ask for a run just for Big Sister?) Difficult situation.

 

Thanks for the advice, Beantree - you've helped me out so much in the past!

 

x

[Cindig]

Hi Mrs B,

 

I just wanted to say congrats on your pregnancy, so exciting for you! And a wedding to look forward to too!

 

I've only owned hens for a few days now so not experienced enough to advise! However poor Big Sister - it strikes me that if you give her a chance to recover, once she's back to full strength she'll be more than capable of looking after herself with respect to fending off the others.

[mullethunter]

Hi Mrs_B. Like Beantree's lot, the bullying between my girls has become much more pronounced over the last few weeks. I've even seen the two Wyandottes fighting when usually Amy just does what she's told.

 

I suspect its a hormone thing, and perhaps with Big Sister having had an implant hers are running lower than everyone else's so she's less inclined to stand up for herself. Hopefully it will all settle down in time, but if they're all doing it it does sound like you may need to separate her for a little while.

 

Good luck.

 

Good luck with your pregnancy too. I know how hard it is to go through IVF and how exciting it is when things finally go your way so I really hope everything goes well for you

[Chickabee]

What exciting news about pregnancy and marriage congratulations.

 

I would seperate Big Sister. I had a similar problem with my Pekin frizzle she lives in my shed with 2 polands now and they get along very well. She was however in a run with some bantams, they were all fine until they started to lay then they tore all her feathers out of her back and made her bleed. They still run after her if they meet her in the garden. My big girls have never liked her and the ex bats don't like anybody new.

 

Good luck with everything

[Mrs_B]

Thank you so much, everyone Am nervous about being pregnant as I never thought it would happen! I will truly be Mrs_B next month lol (there is another member who is Mrs B without the underscore so apologies for the confusion!)

 

Big Sister has been separated, I tried to pop her back with the others for bed but one went right for her, so she's in a dog cage in the shed. I feel so sorry for her as she spent time in there when she had problems with laying - so had hoped she wouldn't be lonely again! Going to build the spare run to go on the lawn just for her so she can see the others Maybe try her with the Orpingtons? Or that may be a crazy idea (both groups see each other through a mesh divide and often lay against it as one group). Really interesting that bullying can happen when chickens come into lay after the winter break as I have never experienced this before, so glad I am not doing something wrong at least!!

 

mullethunter - have you gone through IVF? I was so shocked it worked first time for us, such an amazing thing for people who can't conceive naturally.

 

x

[Chickabee]

I would try her with the orpies, once she regained her feathers/strength. I was thinking that earlier actually.

 

I could never get to grips with being pregnant. Couldn't believe a real person was growing inside me. Didn't believe I deserved the honour, but happily managed it 4 times. Despite some quite major complications. Worth every minute of it. Mine were conceived naturally, but I had colastasis. All forgotten once they arrived safely

[Mrs_B]

I will give it some serious thought about putting Big Sister in with the Orpingtons They're quite a strong pair though, sisters who don't leave each others' side. One always stands outside the eglu when the other is laying. They're quite sweet though, so might not be a bad idea

 

Lovely to hear about you having 4 children, Chickabee! Colastasis sounds really worrying (I had to Google!), I am glad you were OK though Got a few medical issues myself, but will be closely monitored so shouldn't be a huge problem x

[Grandmashazzie]

No advice re bullying.Just wanted too add my congratulations. Have a lovely wedding day, enjoy every minute.Great news about pregnancy so exciting.

[mullethunter]

mullethunter - have you gone through IVF?

 

Not me but a close colleague. She gave birth in November

[mimi5]

Dear Mrs_B Wow lots of Congratulations are in order

 

I have various health issues too and PCOS which made conceiving and carrying a pregnancy to term a challenge!!!! But despite many difficulties I have 3 lovely children & would do it all again!!! Err I say children.......21yrs, 19yrs and 17yrs!!!!! Being monitored closely is very reassuring I found

 

Just wait till you have your first scan and see the little person! It makes it feel "real"

 

My issues with my Penny were this scenario. She had a heavy moult and was behind the other 2 who came in to lay within days of each other. They have all been together for 2 years and Penny was bottom chook after Molly died. Funny but it seems bullying can just happen over night!

 

I think maybe the suggestion of trying her with your opies might work. I guess it trial it and see

 

Let us know how you go......in all departments!!!!! Best wishes X

[Mrs_B]

Hello Mimi! Glad you were able to have your three even though you had PCOS Thank you for your congrats!! I actually had an early scan at 7 weeks on Monday and saw the heartbeat - was beating away nicely - one of the best moments ever I really really hope you have a better time in the future with your chooks, it's been so difficult for you xx

 

mullethunter - so happy to hear about your work colleague - love hearing good news with IVF! xx

 

Grandmashazzie - thank you so much! xx

 

I tried Big Sister with the Orpingtons yesterday - went surprisingly OK. Big Sister got a bit stressed out as I think she was a bit intimidated so I gave her a break. She's with them now, they don't go for her, the normal peck is given for authority but she's much more comfortable. Going to separate at bedtime, as the Orpingtons are very protective of their eglu (they want to know what I am doing if I am poop picking!) so I don't want to cause an issue there. But they are so much more placid than the others - I just hope she's welcomed into their pairing somehow as she still seems a bit lonely on her own but at least she's safe.

 

x