Chicken bald back

[LeahNaomiAdams]

Hello,

 

I picked up my first ever chickens this morning! 2 gorgeous Peking bantams called Peanut and Tuppence. I was waiting on some 8 week old Perkins from a man who's bantams are not laying or hatching well so I have to wait till june for them. However in the meantime I have come into 2 5 month old bantams. One is already showing her character as very bossy and probably the top of the pecking order despite there only being 2 at the moment. She is doing the usual thing chickens do to show who's boss, throwing her weight about and the odd peck to put Tuppence in line but I'm worried about bringing in 2 younger and smaller bantams in june as I only have one coop and run... What if she pecks the 2 newbies and hurts them?

 

My advice need is whether I email the man to say I'm really sorry but due to circumstances I won't need the 2 expected to hatch soon and just go back to the same place I got these 2 from and add 2 more girls who were already in the same flock with my 2? This way I assume they will recognise one another and hopefully be better integrating than bringing 2 completely forge in and much younger ones in?

 

Thank you,

 

Leah xx

[mullethunter]

I introduced two young pekins (10 weeks when I got them) to two older Wyandotte bantams (18 months old).It was a very long and at times difficult process, I didn't actually put them in together until the pekins were 16 weeks, and they did (and still do a bit), get quite badly bullied.

 

Whilst this is worse than your case because the Wyandottes are bigger than the pekins, I would advise you to do as you suggest. Cancel the two babies from the breeder you're waiting for, and go back and get another two five month olds instead. Introductions would be much more fair if they're all at the same stage of development.

 

Good luck.

[LeahNaomiAdams]

Thank you for your advice. I think ill do that especially as i'm a first time chicken owner and i don't want to put them in hams way

 

Also is it normal that they are enjoying staying perched in the coop? i suppose due to new surroundings they are still just nervous?

 

thanks

[Grandmashazzie]

Yes they may take a while to get used to new place. If they haven't ventured out I would lift them out to water and food.

[LeahNaomiAdams]

I went and got 2 more from the same place this afternoon and despite half an hour of a bit of pecking and flapping they all settled outside nicely making lots of clucking noises and eating and drinking regularly.

 

Thank you for the advice, I'm sure now that I've made the right choice.

 

Leah x

[mullethunter]

That's good news Now that you've made 5 posts you can show us photos

[mollyripkim]

That's good, look forward to seeing pictures, love pekins.

[LeahNaomiAdams]

Here's a little collage I did earlier of them in the sheltered bit of the run playing nicely

 

 

Not yet named

 

 

Blousy

 

 

Tuppence and Peanut

 

[mullethunter]

What a lovely little gang

[LeahNaomiAdams]

Would love to see a photo of your chickens if you have any?

 

I feel an obsession coming one already!

[Ursula123]

Oh dear another one struck down with "moorhens disease"

[LeahNaomiAdams]

Ahaha i cant stop watching them... im getting very little done because of it!

 

Another newbie question:

I found this old Tyre and i wondered whether i could put it in the run to perch on/ jump over etc. Im just

worried about the threads coming off it! If i cut them all off will it be ok or do i need to get a more put together tyre?

 

xx

[mullethunter]

If you search for a thread called 'Show Me Your Chooks' there are photos of mine and others chickens. Also if you're on Instagram I'm Chickenkeeper2015 and there are some of my girls on there.

 

I think the tyre would be fine - I'd use it, but I would tidy up the threads first.

[Luvachicken]

Oooh what very pretty pekins

 

I guess us pekin lovers must suffer from morepekins instead

[LeahNaomiAdams]

I hear there isn't a cure for morepekin ...oh well

 

I've looked at your Instagram Jenny! They are gorgeous!

[Ursula123]

Mullethunter I tried to look at your chickens on Instagram but needed to follow you, so I had to send a "request" hope you don't mind.

 

P.s Instagram is all new to me

[LeahNaomiAdams]

Quick question... Again.

 

They all seem very happy and are recognising that I bring them food and treats but one of them earlier seemed to have a mad moment!

I got her on Friday and she was definitely inchanrge of the other chuck. However when I added the other 2 on Saturday I think she's not in charge anymore. Anyway

 

She seems more nervous of me than the other three. And earlier I was just stood looking at them and she suddenly squawked and ran up and down a few times flapping about as if there was danger. The only thing was me...is this normal ?

I have only had them 3 days so possibly I'm being inpatient again and worrying over nothing?

 

Shes also sitting in one corner at the end of the run behind a plant pot while the other 3 are pecking around and eating?

She does get up and peck around for a bit and have a drink then returns to this spot aha

[mullethunter]

Sometimes they do seem to just go mental and run round in circles for no reason, so it's hopefully nothing. You should be able to see my Instagram now. Ive only been on it a few months but I love it

[Ursula123]

You have some lovely pictures mullethunter, really liked the ones of Cornwall, reminds me of my childhood holidays just above Sennen Cove, my parents used to take their caravan down at February half term and collect it October half term and we would spend most weekends in Cornwall. I have such fond memories and really envy you living there.

[mullethunter]

That's funny Ursula123 because I spent school holidays with my mums parents and farming family in N Devon near Bideford!

[Ursula123]

I live about 4 miles from Bideford near Instow. I spent last weekend in the Isles of Scilly it is truly beautiful, we flew out of St Just and came back on the Scillonion, I had always wanted to go on the Scillonion and just about remember when it changed from Scillonion 2 to 3. Luckily we had a smooth crossing.

 

I have lots of memories of my parents around and about Penzance, my dad always wanted one of the houses overlooking the swimming pool, they have both passed away now but I remember all the happy times spent in Cornwall.

[Hippie Chick]

My Speckledy, Phyllis, was more timid than the others and tended to keep out of the way. She's still not keen on being picked up but she now appears at the kitchen door in the hope that treats may be thrown her way, tells off my Border Collie for stalking one of the other chickens (he's obsessed with the Araucana!) and likes to supervise me cleaning out the coop by sitting at the entrance and peering in at me as I'm sweeping it out the back door

 

As for running around like demented maniacs, they do seem to have sudden spells of weirdness. Sometimes mine spot a bird flying over and throw a wobbly about that, sometimes they decide a passing helicopter is worthy of running for cover, sometimes one just seems to think it's funny to set the others off and they have an almighty flap-off contest. Mine seem to like running up and down the garden with their wings outstretched pretending to be aeroplanes like little children. As a first-time chicken keeper I'm always being surprised and delighted by how different their personalities are, and how much they seem to love to play and have fun

 

Your new girls look so pretty!

[mullethunter]

I live about 4 miles from Bideford near Instow

 

There are pictures of me there eating sand as a very fat naked baby

[Ursula123]

There's a plaque on the wall commemorating it Mullethunter

[LeahNaomiAdams]

Thanks hippie chick.

I'm glad most chick NHS find it amusing to go mad for a bit and then carry on as if nothing's appended. They've all settled in, are eating out my hand and come chirping to the door when I go outside.

Peanut seems to be sneezing/hiccuping regularly when she eats corn or seeds or mash.... I'm not sure if this is normal? The other 3 don't do it. I'm currently working them with flubenvet ?

 

Any ideas

 

Leah x