[Mammyshaz]

I added two young legbars to our small flock of mixed breed hens a year ago, they always kept themselves to themselves. One died suddenly a couple of months ago and the other one is lost without her sister.

 Now she is going through the moult, looks terrible and is being bullied by all the other girls. She stays on her own, eating only when all the girls are well away from the feeder and won't go undercover for her afternoon corn due to the other girls being there. She is first in bed and snuggles up to the others at night so not.a problem keeping warm for winter.

She is eating ok and weight seems fine so is getting enough food and forages fine during the day so doesn't seem unwell.

I don't know what to do for her. Should I try getting a couple of very young legbars and putting her separate with them until they bond before reintroducing them to the flock? Or put her in with the  6 young Marian's flock but they are already big and laying so she may still be bullied? It just doesn't feel fair to leave things the way they are 

[chrismahon]

Being bullied during the moult is a common problem Mammyshaz. It's a time when the pecking order can change dramatically because the bird moulting is so weakened. You just need to make sure she is eating enough to feather up quickly, so plenty of protein. Sunflower hearts and 'sterilised' maggots (not carrying botulism) are excellent sources. Mealworms as well.


You could get young birds to put separately with her, but that may be difficult this time of year.

[Sweatyfarmer]

Personally I would not add any more as one of them will only become the bottom of the order.

It can seem harsh bit it is just the way it is will chickens, I would let them work it out - harsh but reality

[Marches Farmer]

Can you pen her so she's adjacent  and visible but can't be pecked?  That will help keep her on the others' radar until she's recovered from the moult.

[doganjo]

I took four oven ready rescues about 2 weeks ago and have kept them separate but next to my 6 others who are presently in moult - anyone make any suggestions as yo how long to keep them apart?  If I get more quail next month as promised i'll need their run back. Two of them in a cage at the minute and want to give them more freedom as soon as poss.

Is it a case of suck it and see?

[Marches Farmer]

Do you have an area "new" to both sets?  If you do and can house them together overnight for the first time and let them out as soon as it's light they might have sorted themselves out overnight.  Less chance of bullying if they free range.