My young Violet Blue Pallid hen who will be one in Oct, seems to dislike male birds- she will actively chase and pull their tail feathers or try to bite them around the head- at first I thought she didn't get along with the one I'd paired her in with, but I have tried others and she does the same to them. I was told to stick her in with a mature proven cock so that he'd dominate her- but so far they've all run away from her. Is this normal behavior from a young hen? My other hen (mature) doesn't chase males, nor does my new hen also mature.
Suggestions welcome - at the moment I've separated her and am contemplating swapping her for another.
Also, as this will be my first season, what breeding books does everyone recommend?
hen troubles
Moderator: Mods
Re: hen troubles
Clip some of her primary flights and/or pull a tail feather or two. You are basically trying to put her at a disadvantage in terms of mobility compared to the cock. The cock should take his cue from this. You are lucky that there are signs. Sometimes you get to the aviary and the cock is already dead.
Re: hen troubles
Johan, yes one wing is clipped so she can't fly- the cocks I put in with her weren't so they were able to get away quickly- but she would endlessly just seek them down if they came within 60cm or thereabouts of her.
Molossus- I will try this- hopefully she does choose one.
I want to keep this one- she has such a fantastic colour that's brighter than any other Violet Blue Pallid's I've seen.
Thanks both
Molossus- I will try this- hopefully she does choose one.
I want to keep this one- she has such a fantastic colour that's brighter than any other Violet Blue Pallid's I've seen.
Thanks both
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ellieelectrons
- Posts: 2708
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
- Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Re: hen troubles
Hi Shey
I've heard that it can sometimes take quite a while to find a suitable pairing for a female IRN. Good luck.
Also, I'd probably clip both wings lightly, not just one. My understandings is that if she falls she can glide down and not hurt herself.
The father of my Charlie went through 3 females before finding one that would accept him (see http://www.aussiebirds.proboards.com/in ... read=10702).
In our case with my two, we have a weird situation in that the male tends to dominate the female, whereas I've heard it's usually the other way around.
Ellie.
I've heard that it can sometimes take quite a while to find a suitable pairing for a female IRN. Good luck.
Also, I'd probably clip both wings lightly, not just one. My understandings is that if she falls she can glide down and not hurt herself.
The father of my Charlie went through 3 females before finding one that would accept him (see http://www.aussiebirds.proboards.com/in ... read=10702).
In our case with my two, we have a weird situation in that the male tends to dominate the female, whereas I've heard it's usually the other way around.
Ellie.
Re: hen troubles
Hi, Ellie- she was a hand-raised bird so not at all flighty or scared and doesn't try to fly- so no problems there. Hoping she finds a mate she likes soon (not that she'll likely breed this season but will gear her up for the next).ellieelectrons wrote:Hi Shey
Also, I'd probably clip both wings lightly, not just one. My understandings is that if she falls she can glide down and not hurt herself.
Ellie.
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ellieelectrons
- Posts: 2708
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
- Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Re: hen troubles
Hi Shey
Given that she was handraised, could it be that she doesn't know that she's a bird? I'd still clip the other wing to match, as if something frightens her she could try to take off and fall, I think she needs to be able to glide down for a safe landing.
Ellie.
Given that she was handraised, could it be that she doesn't know that she's a bird? I'd still clip the other wing to match, as if something frightens her she could try to take off and fall, I think she needs to be able to glide down for a safe landing.
Ellie.