[Izzy]

I few months ago I posted on here on behalf of a friend.


http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=44347.msg414746#msg414746


Well the self righting prolapse had a brief period of mild broodiness/nonlaying followed by non-stop daily dark-shelled eggs. She's big (7lbs), beautiful and a real bully. We have decided she is maybe Australorp rather than Black Rock hybrid.


This girl is now on her own in a run because of her bullying behaviour to the 2 bantams (one of whom is v lame due to previously untreated scaley leg) and because the fourth hen died  probably due to peritonitis.


So taking on these hens has been a bit of an adventure for my friend. I am nursing the bantams for scaley leg as my friend is a bit stretched at the moment. But once the bantams with scaley leg are fixed I'm not sure they will stand up to sharing with the bullying Australorp. So long term do you think this Australorp will always have to be on her own? Would having bantams in the next run be adequate company?

[chrismahon]

Some hens have no problem being on their own Izzy. They enjoy being master of their own flock of one. You may find that being alongside the bantams is sufficient, but she may 'spar' though the adjoining wire with the top bantam. You can't put her with the bantams if they are going to be badly bullied because the stress may make them ill.