Bottom of the pecking order

[LoanswithLaurieB]

1 of our 5 hens was killed by a predator this fall. The flock used to get along great. But now the girls are picking on Emmy. She has NO more tail feathers to give. Her comb is pink not red. And I think she’s been roosting in the nest box because of the abuse and the eggs are getting poopy. The are four hens and a rooster in a 28 sf coop. There are two 36 inch roosts. And two nest boxes. They have a run that’s 16x20. I used to let them free range during the day until Ruby was killed in the middle of the day. I think they may be picking on her 1. Because they’re bored and 2. Because the pecking order changed. It’s been a couple months and it hasn’t worked out. I’m just not sure what to do next. Their coop is cleaned weekly and they have a good diet. Any suggestions welcome as I am tired of washing poopy eggs.

 

[DobieLover]

Please post pictures of your run and inside the coop. What is in the run for enrichment? Space is only one factor. If they are bored and have no opportunity to partake in normal chicken activities, bad habits can develop. Are the birds able to come and go from the run at will or do you need to release them in the morning? If so, do you have the door open before they come off the roost in the morning or are they waiting around to get let out?
I would set up an area within your run for Emmy to hang out in where everyone can still see her but not touch her so she can relax and eat and drink and preen herself without worrying about trying to evade the flock for a week or so to give her a break while you improve enrichment in the run and add more things to engage the flock.

 

[Daisy June]

Really liked DobieLover's advice about setting up area for Emmy. I would add that, if it is possible, hang outside with them when they free range. When my chickens (girls only) were pecking at Beth (pulling out her neck feathers), I verbally scolded them. Eventually, things settled down and we have cohesiveness among the six girls. Good luck to you and Emmy.

 

[aart]

Good questions from Dobielover, add to the answer how old in months here birds are.

 

[LoanswithLaurieB]

Please post pictures of your run and inside the coop. What is in the run for enrichment? Space is only one factor. If they are bored and have no opportunity to partake in normal chicken activities, bad habits can develop. Are the birds able to come and go from the run at will or do you need to release them in the morning? If so, do you have the door open before they come off the roost in the morning or are they waiting around to get let out?
I would set up an area within your run for Emmy to hang out in where everyone can still see her but not touch her so she can relax and eat and drink and preen herself without worrying about trying to evade the flock for a week or so to give her a break while you improve enrichment in the run and add more things to engage the flock.

Yes I do have a portable hoop coop. That’s a good idea. And it will fit within the run, she’ll just have no shelter and it’s a windy winter here in central Virginia.. I think can put something together tho. I did switch the nest boxes to the floor and the bail of pine fluff up above based on someone else advice to keep the roost as the highest point. We’ll see what this morning brings. I’ll post pictures a little later.

 

[LoanswithLaurieB]

1 of our 5 hens was killed by a predator this fall. The flock used to get along great. But now the girls are picking on Emmy. She has NO more tail feathers to give. Her comb is pink not red. And I think she’s been roosting in the nest box because of the abuse and the eggs are getting poopy. The are four hens and a rooster in a 28 sf coop. There are two 36 inch roosts. And two nest boxes. They have a run that’s 16x20. I used to let them free range during the day until Ruby was killed in the middle of the day. I think they may be picking on her 1. Because they’re bored and 2. Because the pecking order changed. It’s been a couple months and it hasn’t worked out. I’m just not sure what to do next. Their coop is cleaned weekly and they have a good diet. Any suggestions welcome as I am tired of washing poopy eggs.

So just an update, Emmy seems to be growing her tail feathers back. The weather turned for the worse after I originally posted this and have not isolated her in the hoop run as she’d have no shelter. Compared to the others her comb and feathers are still pale and her skin a bit flaky when I looked under her feathers.

I scooped the coop like I do every week, and laid down a generous amount of lime and DE in the coop and boxes just in case of hidden critters. I also dusted her with a bit of de. Egg prod IS down but it’s winter. When we were getting 6/hen/wk we’re now getting 2-3.

I’m gonna get some cantaloupe this week and give them the seeds and add a lil acv to their water and we’ll see what next week brings.