Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: HairyBear on July 28, 2009, 08:40
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Perhaps a silly question...
I have 4 hens. One is a Goldline and three are Rhode Island Reds. Despite the fact that one of the Reds joined the group a little later than the others, the reds hang around together and perch nestled tightly together at night. Goldline (Mrs Pickering) is the matriarch and keeps them all in check, but doesn't have a buddy to pair up with in the hen house.
Should I buy another goldline to keep her company? Seems like the breeds stick to their own.
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It is best not to add just one hen at a time as they run the risk of being bullied. Don't worry your goldline will be ok - mine all swop places during the night (probably play musical perches or something :lol:)
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If the other hens are a bit distant in the coop it may be the goldline is really 'ruling the roost' and they are staying out of pecking range. There`s a lot of sense in some of the old sayings, as they say 'birds of a feather.......'
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yeah sounds like they are giving her 'respec man'!!! :tongue2: :lol:
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Hi Hairy, I'm really glad you asked that question, because when I first got my girls I had 4 Isa's one Columbian Black tail and a Bluebell. The 4 Isas and the black tail all ganged up on Violet (the bluebell) and I wondered at the time if it was because she was different, (my OH thought I was mad) They've sorted themselves out now, but she's very often on her own, although they do roost with her now (probably because she's twice the size of all the others and nice and toasty)!I reckon there's something in it. :D