We have some orpingtons chickens who live together quite happily in their house and are free to go exploring during the day. However one of the hens doesnt seem to like coming outside! She is just over a year old and has just about got all her feathers back after moulting. She looks in good health and eats and drinks ok but she rarely leaves the house. She normally goes for a mad ten minute dash just before it gets dark, running around rather madly, eating and drinking and then goes back in again for the night.
She doesn't seem unwell or anything, only thing is she lives with a rather large cockerel who she normally runs away from when he chases her.
It has been rather wet and has been cold so maybe she is just a sensitive hen who doesnt like getting her feathers wet? ;o) I have tried coaxing her out with mashed potato, which she loves eating but then goes back in again!
Any ideas what is up or is it just her little character?! Do you think she will "just grow out of it"? Any help would be much appreciated, thank you!
Farming Friends Forum » Hens
Hen rarely ventures out house
(4 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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Hi fluffy none of my hens ever liked the wet weather and she may just be a more sensitive hen .Perhaps you could seperate the cock as she may be his favourite and she will know that and fear the dreaded action .So hope she will be normal soon ,as she sounds a happy hen until today .Mama
Goose GirlPosted 1 year ago # -
Thank you for the advice, is awkward one as I was hoping for some fertile eggs for hatching so ideally don't want to separate them for too long. I could separate them as a trial though and see if she starts venturing out more, then at least I know what the problem is. Thank you.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I think Mama's suggestion is a sound one and may help you eliminate or find him as the cause for her anxiety. Or she may just be a stay at home type. :)
Sarah LPosted 1 year ago #
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