poor little ginger

[francesbean]

one of my rescue hens ginger (theyve been here 10 days) is very sad.
Shes quite tatty, bare breasted with lots of missing fbottom and wing feathers and has a very bad limp.

Quite henpecked by two originals, even though other rescue (nolly) seems to be holding her own and integrating. On four occassions she has hid herself at dusk and not gone into the eglu - 3 times in pouring rain, but i have found her following morning looking bedraggled. Last night same thing happened I looked until it was too dark, and looked again this morning, still no ginger. Looked again after yoga class and found her shivering and frightened, apparantly she had hid herself in neighbours garden all night.

Currently she is in my lobby with food and water and a cat box, but has hidden herself behind the washing machine. Im really worried about her,and know it will take time, but dont want to lose her- shes not laying much only 2 eggs in 10 days but I dont mind that, just want her to be less traumatised.

Am I doing the right thing, by keeping her inside away from other hens while she recovers or doing more harm?

francesbean

[lainey lou]

Ooooh Francesbean, poor ginger. I don't know if it IS the right thing to do or not but I would be doing the same as you. Perhaps when she is ready to re-join the others you could place her inside the eglu at bedtime so she knows that is where she is meant to be. Good luck, let us know how you and ginger get on xxx

[vicky]

Keeping her seperate will mean she will not integrate and have to go through the introduction process again....BUT.....it might be easier if she is a bit stronger and more confident....

Think I'd do the same as you too.

What about a run next door to the others - where they could see her and get used to her without being able to pick on her?

Or as lainey lou says pop her in at night?

Good luck, let us know what you do

[janeyo]

Hi I think I would be more inclined to separate the bully to give her a chance to hold her own and gain a bit of confidence.

janeyo

[francesbean]

just thought id update on ginger the rescue hen. I kept her in chook hospital for 3 days and nights, she ate and drank loads, and began to get a lot bolder - also she dried out and looked less miserable. Always slept behind the washing machine but came each morning.

I re introduced her in the afternoon, and there was a little pecking but strangely not as
bad as before(perhaps they were pleased to see her after all). Also noticed that the original two had stopped pecking rescue hen Nolly and she was happily running around with them and taking her share of everything.

Well Im pleased to report that they are now all getting on really well - theyve worked out the pecking order, and stopped bullying Ginger, who although still looking scraggy and limping (told it might be osteoporosis) is not hiding anymore and seems much more settled.

She's even laid another egg for me and comes out to say hello and look for treats whenever I go out to the garden- aaahhhh.

PS Ive stopped calling the chooks 'my girls' and the 'new girls'- they're all My Girls now!


francesbean

[JILLY JACKSON]

Good news fb !nice to hear good news.

[Birdie Wife]

So pleased to hear they are all getting on now