Thinking about new hens

Dinosaw? or any with experience of cockerels - what would you make of the behaviour where Bonnie stoops down and lets Linden peck her head (like a noddin donkey!) She runs away from the others and she runs away when the others join in but not when its just Bonnie and Linden.
Obviously I am worried that she will et an injury and so when it has happened I've intervened because its so mechanical and dumb but, surprisingly, she has not even had a scratch on her comb. He has stopped jumpin and lashin out - just this odd ritual.
 
No idea about that, Rick, you'll have to wait for Dinosaw or Chris on that one, sorry.
But it did occur to me that, having lost Belle, it would be extremely difficult at present for you to add a single replacement for her. Bonnie is probably in the 'lowly singleton' position in the flock at present, now Belle has departed, so getting more than her share of bullying. I reckon I can comfortably house up to six hens, five is better, and can divide the run satisfactorily for quarantine or emergencies, but if I'm up to the maximum number when one dies, I then need to wait until another one has gone so I have room to introduce a pair, as you did with Bonnie and Belle. Actually I usually let numbers drop to 3 before getting another pair, so everyone has plenty of space. Also, its so much easier introducing pullets in the late summer or Autumn as the other birds are much less territorial and problems are minimal.
 
Depends on the way he is pecking her. If it is gentle, (which it sounds like) then it is courting behaviour from him. If it is violent then she is showing total submission to him. I've had that happen with both hen on hen and roo on hen where I have had to step in after about fifteen heavy pecks to the head with no sign of movement from the passive bird.
 
Thanks Marigold (typing on my phone so I have g's!)
Im going to stick with the 4 for now and try to get them settled well before August when we go away. Ive worked out several ways of partitioning over the past few years and have also built an annex that was Linden when he first arrived. That is a handy couple of square metres for 'sick bay' when needed and a semi private space to go to to get away from it all (not for me) when it is open. But ideally some way of splitting the roosting shelf and floor down the middle would be best. Its an odd shape to split with the roost and boxes like a shelf under the sloping roof. If I reworked it width ways instrad of length ways maybe. What would be really good would be internal netting that rolled up as the removable frames I have now are a problem to store when not in use. Will try to do something before I need to split the run again. I spilt the run lengthways when Aerial and Bettty were introduced but it involved lots of staples and netting and a door that just about lasted the course. Two runs side by side would be ideal but then I would just fill the second with chickens and be back where I started.
Thanks Dinosaw. thats a useful thing to know. It may only be comparitivly gentle because he is small and the total submission possibility seems to fit. If I thought it would resolve it by letting him carry on till he had had enough (Bonnie seems quite capable of taking a few pecks) then I wouldnt interviene . Will continue to let them work it out when I can supervise.
 
He was definatly trying to tread her this morning with the others looking on puzzeled as they do. Will stop the running commentry now. Thanks all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top