nannyhenny Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 For four days since I lost four of my six hens over the last month (two to illness, two to fox attack) one of my remaining girls is now bottom of the pecking order, with the other girl being quite bossy to her. She has started to spend all day sitting on top of the Eglu. She hops up there almost as soon as she is let out in the morning and will only come down at bedtime or a rare time or two during the day. This has been going on for four days and means that she is hardly feeding or even drinking once she is out of the run in the morning. Will she give this up of her own accord, or should I start preventing her going up there by using netting or branches or something? She seems quite content, preening and surveying the world and, since she hasn't been laying for a while anyway, it hasn't affected her eggs but it seems unnatural. Advice needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I would put another feeder and drinker in there (an ice-cream carton with a weight in to stop it being kicked over will do, no need to buy new ones) so she can be sure of feeding. Otherwise, leave them to it - she will recover her confidence but there has to be a hen that's bottom of the pecking order and if this is a sudden change in seniority she will take a while to get used to it. One of mine always feeds after all the others, she is fine and lays regularly, it's just her place to be the last one for everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyhenny Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 I have two a feeders and drinkers - trouble is, she won't come down to use them! She seems frightened of the other hen, taking refuge up top as soon as she gets some aggression. I have a second Eglu and run do could keep her separate but together as if introducing for the first time. Would that work, do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I'm not sure that I would separate as that could cause problems in itself. I know seeing the pecking order sort itself out is not nice to watch, I would do Olly said and put feed and water up there with her. If the other girl was really aggressive I would think she would make an effort to chase her up there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyhenny Posted June 28, 2015 Author Share Posted June 28, 2015 Hooray! She suddenly decided, half way through yesterday, that perhaps no foxes were lurking and came down. The two are peacefully reunited as if nothing had happened. Thanks, both for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Glad to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
