The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: carrie on July 21, 2010, 08:53:25 pm

Title: lonely chicken
Post by: carrie on July 21, 2010, 08:53:25 pm
One of our chickens has been ostracised by the rest of the flock. She still sleeps with the rest of them at night, but we have to let her out
of the nest boxes in the morning, or the others will attack her in the run, before we let them all out into the haggart.
She is the only one laying at the moment too. She seems quite happy, and follows us around in the day, but what can we do, is that normal?
Title: Re: lonely chicken
Post by: Rosemary on July 21, 2010, 09:22:57 pm
Maybe they're jealous  :)
Title: Re: lonely chicken
Post by: joyofchicks on July 21, 2010, 11:53:24 pm
I inherited a black orpington we call Aretha Franklin from a foster home where she was being bullied.  She  was a loner here too and now she has poor sight so is housed alone.  The other four hens have access to her run and 'visit' her during the day and feed from her food hopper.  Sometimes one will try to nest with her but mostly she seems best on her own.  It's not 'normal' behaviour but sometimes you just have to go with what works for your hens.
Title: Re: lonely chicken
Post by: carrie on July 23, 2010, 04:33:15 pm
The picture is like our hens. is that a black orpington? we were given ours so i don't know what they may be.
thelonely chicken is with the house dogs at the moment, playing ball with a young neighbour! the rest are being aloof, pretending not to like ball games!
 
Title: Re: lonely chicken
Post by: doganjo on July 23, 2010, 10:11:37 pm
Could we have a video of that please? ;)
Title: Re: lonely chicken
Post by: carrie on July 23, 2010, 11:24:54 pm
I will do it. godfrey, the rescued sheep dog, is so embarrassed that his best friend is now a chicken. godfrey lives under the kitchen window. he has a cupboard where he keeps all the balls he has confiscated from the children.