4 + 2 = havoc for 1

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Anonymous

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Morning,
I added my 2 new hens to the exsisting 4 last night after having them in a coop and run next to the main enclosure for a week. This morning it's as if the Light Sussex has always lived there, but the other one is taking a complete hammering. No-one seems to notice the LS.
How long does the pecking last usually? I must admit that I'm finding it quite hard to watch, but I want to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't get badly hurt.

The other question on my mind is can ducks and chickens cross? I ask this because the picked on hen was sold to me as a bantam Barred Plymouth Rock, hatched this year and she's really quite big - I'd say half the size of the Black Rocks. She clumsy and ungainly and looks to me like she's still got some baby feathers on her back. Her head seems a funny shape for a chicken, her comb is almost non-existant and right low down on her beak and she honks like a duck something shocking.
I don't really mind what she is, as long as the others leave her alone and she can be happy.

Can't load a picture, so here's a link - I can't get her standing up at the moment - will try again later.
http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab228/bridgemontbelle/Chickens/GovernorPics017.jpg
Here's the rest of them, getting on like a hosue on fire
http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab228/bridgemontbelle/Chickens/GovernorPics012.jpg

LIz
 
Hi Liz, the barred rock is a little young to be in with the older hens- that's why she is getting picked on- you will need to make sure she is getting plenty to eat and drink as the others will bully her- if they don't settle down soon i would take her out and keep her seperate if you can , that way she will eat and drink- she has a "funny" voice because she is young and very nervous by the looks of her- the sussex is much older and can look after herself- but your barred rock is too young to be standing up for herself.
regards, David :)
 
David,
I can keep her separate - how long do you think she'll need? She's definaitely very jumpy wth the others. Even the Light Sussex has started packing at her now and they been together for a week with no sign of anything like that before.
Won't she be lonely on her own for a few weeks?
Will she be warm enough at night?
Don't you think she looks a bit big for a bantam?
Liz
 
Liz, she will be fine on her own- no worries- if she is getting beaten up bad then i would put her on her own- she will do much better for it- then you can give her growers pellets instead of layers- she looks like she needs to still be on them- if she can see the others so much the better but don't worry if she can't.
And one other thing- stop worrying and enjoy your hens! :) :) :)
regards, David :)
 
David,
I promise that I will try and stop worrying about my hens - I certainly never worried this much about my kids!
But how long should I keep her apart - she will be in sight of the others, by the way.
Liz
 
Hi, i would give it a month - she how she goes- she needs to grow and fill out and redden up- try to feed her growers pellets- they have a higher protein content than layers pellets- she will be fine on her own :)
Regards, David :)
 
Thanks, David - will go and take her out now.
I knew there was something not right with her, but never thought of her beinb too young. Do you think she will grow much more? It doesn't really matter to me, but she's already so big and ungainly - perhaps she's not a bantam at all?
Liz
 
Hi if she's big already she will fill out but shouldn't grow much bigger- i don't think she's a bantam - too big i think but a nice bird :)
David :)
 
she is only a baby by the looks of her, I would seperate her but get a companion for her, I think they do get lonely they are social creatures! (my own opinion) definately needs growers pellets, looks to me in photos she is around 13 - 16 weeks old? and a large fowl not bantam
 
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