What special care do you give your flock?

[CabritaChicks]

We took in a handicap and a friend of hers (hens) now the handicap we call Thelma and her friend is Louise.

I am not a social structure chicken expert, but I was in a similar situation with other species.

It sounds like you have such a kind heart — Thelma is lucky to have you looking out for her!

I think your idea could work really well. Housing Thelma with the younger pullets in a separate coop would likely help her build confidence without the stress of the older flock bullying her. Young pullets are usually more accepting (depending on age, sex, etc), especially since they’re still finding their own place in the world and not as territorial yet.

As they all free-range together during the day, they’ll naturally start forming bonds across the two groups. Over time, this could make eventual integration smoother if you ever want them all to share one coop. Just keep an eye on how they interact during free-range time — if everyone seems peaceful, that’s a great sign.

You’re doing exactly the right thing by prioritizing her comfort and safety. Thelma deserves a happy, low-stress life, and it’s clear she’s getting it with you.

 

[Black horse farm]

Update I know it’s only been a few hours but Thelma is doing awesome with the two younger girls. Got them a separate coop and they are both respecting Thelma! So it looks like Thelma will be the young birds mama figure until they are big enough to interact with our older chickens. She seems more mobile and she even bossed the younger girls around a little which warmed my heart haha. Happy birds happy house! We love these chickens so much I can’t believe it took me this long to have some. Some Thelma pictures! We were told she was stepped on as a baby her legs don’t move like a normal chicken and she tends to step on her own feet and trip around which def caused the older chickens to react but now she’s just stumbling around in charge. Things are looking up for her !

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

We took in a handicap and a friend of hers (hens) now the handicap we call Thelma and her friend is Louise. Louise has already acclimated with our flock however Thelma the handicap has not. They will let her in the coop at night but during the day they don’t want her around. We’re picking up some younger hens today I was wondering if putting the younger ones in a different coop with Thelma would be a good idea. They are younger pullets were picking up and I don’t think they would try to boss her around as much but I’m not sure would that affect the new pullets ability to become part of the flock or would the two coops form one flock from free ranging all day together? If I should post this elsewhere please let me know. Pictures of Thelma attached. She was stepped on as a chick before we received her. she walks poorly and has bad balance but she’s nice and once she molts she’ll be beautiful again I just want a nice life for her unstressed so whatever I can do for her I’d like to do.

Awwww we used to have two brahmas called Thelma and Louise...