3 hens suddenly taking a dislike To my 4th hen *bulling*

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picnic

picnic

Hatching
Oct 31, 2016
7
0
7
Help.. I have 4 Pekin hens all of the same age they have been living in harmony together since January with no problems.. the foursome were inseparable. The last two days three have taken a dislike to the fourth, being rather nasty they chase her, pin her and I just bullies and peck at anything they can grab. 3 on 1..!!!
Even when they are free range they will still chase, it's been so sudden and I can't work out what's happened as nothing has changed.

She is trying to keep out there way and I'm feeding in two separate areas so she's not to be bullied out of eating.

What can I do? Will it settle? Although she seems fine and happy in a herself and eating well she is starting to look a little bit rundown.
 
Are you talking ducks or chickens?
Could they have detected that she was sick? If they do, they may sometimes try to drive off the sick one or kill it to protect the health of the flock.
Other than that, I can't think of a reason for the change in behavior.
My best advice is to separate them into 2 groups. The bullied with the least aggressive of the other two. Then a few days later move one of the bullies back with the other two and a couple days later add the biggest bully. That may change the pecking order.
 
Pekin chickens, thank you for your advice.. she doesn't seem visually unwell.. not quiet or loss in appatite, she seems quite active when out on the lawn.. it's all very strange. I can try to identify the lesser bully but to be honest all 3 are equally as nasty.
 
I get that but when there are only 2 birds, they tend to bond more. They don't want to be alone. That said, there will always be pecking order and each will have a position on the totem pole which changes from time to time.
 

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