Horrible Hen?

Take her back and try again! Don't keep a hen or get in the habit of keeping a hen to try and change her so that you eventually will like her. It seldom happens and many people wind up hating the hobby over a chicken, hen or roo, that they should have just got rid of.

Not all birds are nice, but lots of them are. AND the farmer knows this. However, very probably, he caught what was closest to sell to you. With a larger flock, and a large space personalities have more room to solve issues. I don't think he deliberately sold you a mean one. He will understand how this one is too much for you, just starting out.

Mrs K

Taking her back isn't drastic at all. With that small a space, I'd really consider just having two birds. If you do decide to put three in there, they'll have to really get along as they're kinda cramped. No room for issues or drama.

I took her back, along with the striped bird, as she, too, was beating the living snot out of our RSL. So now, the RSL is alone...but only until tomorrow morning. We are going back to the farm and the gentleman there is giving us two pullets (I don't know what breed though). He says likely, the RSL will rule the roost then. And I think she'd be great at the top of her pecking order because she's not aggressive or mean. *Fingers crossed* Hoping all works out well. And hoping she's okay overnight by her lonesome!

thekatbus said:

I took her back, along with the striped bird, as she, too, was beating the living snot out of our RSL. So now, the RSL is alone...but only until tomorrow morning. We are going back to the farm and the gentleman there is giving us two pullets (I don't know what breed though). He says likely, the RSL will rule the roost then. And I think she'd be great at the top of her pecking order because she's not aggressive or mean. *Fingers crossed* Hoping all works out well. And hoping she's okay overnight by her lonesome!

Click to expand...

She's going to be aggressive to some point because she will still need to establish her dominance over the others. It's rarely a peaceful time when chickens are first put together or are moved from one place to another, or when any drastic change happens in their lives.

bobbi-j said:

She's going to be aggressive to some point because she will still need to establish her dominance over the others. It's rarely a peaceful time when chickens are first put together or are moved from one place to another, or when any drastic change happens in their lives.

Click to expand...

So I have the two new chickens and she is definitely being a boss but she's not being terrible. Just chasing them away from treats. certain areas, etc. Nothing outright violent yet. So I feel relieved!

Having two feeders in opposite corners will help when settling new birds in a coop. I always have ay least two feeding spots even if I only have a few chickens so that lower ranked hens can still eat whenever they want.

A couple treats that take a long time to eat scattered around the run to keep them from getting bored will help too.

thekatbus said:

So I have the two new chickens and she is definitely being a boss but she's not being terrible. Just chasing them away from treats. certain areas, etc. Nothing outright violent yet. So I feel relieved!

Click to expand...

Oh, good! I'm glad it's working out better this time!