4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Chickabee]

I have a beautiful little crested poland, Polly. She's never really been very happy here. She gets bullied by some of the other chickens. They hold her on the ground and really tear into her . I have therefore moved her into the stable. I have another hen that roosts in there, some quail and a tiny Bantam frizzle in an extra large cage. Also an ageing cat. I posted on preloved to find her a new home, but removed it when someone asked me my address but not much about the bird. Do you think she'll be ok. I do have a large rabbit run I could put her in when the weather is nice, but I fear the others might still scare her. She's extremely timid. There is extra lighting in the stable

[Daphne]

I would try it as it sounds better than what she is experiencing at the moment. Polands are notoriously vulnerable, but having said that each individual bird of another breed reacts differently so you never know, the small bantam frizzle might take to her. In my experience many of them are quite happy pottering about on their own, so I wouldn't be overly concerned about the lack of company and if she can get out for a pick of grass whenever you can manage it, so much the better, and they do like a lie in the sun. If I was still in the UK I would take her off your hands, scant consolation I know but there must be other poland keepers near you, could you try an ad in the local feed merchants or get in touch with your local poultry club to get to a more knowledgable home than maybe preloved seems to be offering at the mo. Good luck with her.

[Beantree]

In one book I read the advice was never to mix Polands with any other breeds because they get badly bullied. It said that the reason was their poor vision due to the head feathering. So, as Daphne says best to separate her. She may be perfectly happy on her own, as several bullied hens we have separated were.

 

I'm not a fan of Preloved for rehoming chickens and like you would not give my address but instead would arrange to deliver so the new keeper's setup could be seen. If conditions were unacceptable she would be coming back home with us.

[Chickabee]

I've put her in the run. She's nibbling at the grass. The girls tried to get her, but soon gave up. I think I'll put her back in her normal run tonight. It wasn't her buddies in there bullying her, it was the other free rangers. They have to free range because one of them is a Brahma and 2 are rehomed little girls. Don't really know why I didn't think of doing this before

[Grandmashazzie]

I think you're doing right thing keeping her apart. If she's happy. I have put my two bantams and two silkies together and they are so happy. I didn't realise how miserable the silkies were when they were with big girls. I def won't mix sizes again.

[Chickabee]

Disaster! Went to put them to bed and she's got no crest left and bleeding. Don't know how they got to her but I'm mortified . I've covered her in purple spray and put her back in the stable. I need a new solution

[mullethunter]

Oh poor little girl. Could she go in with the frizzle?

[Chickabee]

I don't think there's room. Because of the quails. Also Dazzle very much rules that roost. She was another victim of bullies, but now just loves bossing me and the quails around. I'm going to google the Poland forum

[mullethunter]

I should think shed be fine in the stable if she's near the others in their cage, and then out in the rabbit run when you can. She wouldn't really be on her own then but safe from attack.

[Chickabee]

They got to her when she was in the rabbit run. That's why I'm so upset. She must have had her head against the side then froze in fear, poor little thing. I watched for ages and they were ignoring her, so felt she was safe. Currently looking for second hand coop and run. I could put Perspex round the bottom

[Chickabee]

I've just bought a little ark that will fit in my WIR

[Grandmashazzie]

Aw poor Polly, maybe a little Poland friend in run together. I have put off cuts of corrugated Perspex around my WIR to cut the wind, it would be ideal to stop others getting too close.

[Chickabee]

Yes no one is ever getting near her again. I could get a couple more quail to go with her. They're very sweet and easy to look after

[mullethunter]

I can't believe they got her through a run! You'd never expect that. An ark with some quail sounds like a good idea.

[Luvachicken]

Sounds like Polly has had a tough time

I'm sure she'll be very happy in her own space with some smaller friends.

[Chickabee]

She's got her own little home now inside my WIR. She can't see the bullies as I've blocked off one side. She's seems happy. She's been chatting instead of the usual screeching. The girls in the big run aren't taking much notice of her

[Luvachicken]

Awww, I'm glad she's happy.

It's horrible having bullies isn't it - mind you, I haven't had any for a while.