Chicken having trouble fitting in

[hodor]

Long story short. We have a small flock of 3, lost one to a fox and got a new girl. Things were as you'd expect for a couple of weeks and everything seemed fine.

All of a sudden the new girl (plymouth rock) is been kept away/picked on by the Araucana who never paid much attention when introduced over 6 months ago. It was the Ancona been mean.

Today the Araucana was sitting on the rock and pecking it's head every time it tried to look about.

The rock was broody a month back.. Can't think of anything else strange to cause this, any ideas? Thinking an extra girl might help? Don't really want to expand too much.

 

[chickens really]

Coop and Run size. Diet and boredom can play into Chicken behaviour. Also certain breeds don't handle confinement as well as other breeds do. Plus certain breeds can be more aggressive than others.

 

[hodor]

About 25 sq foot in the coop plus 60 in the secure run. Over 2500 when free ranging during the day

 

[Perris]

is the rock ill?

 

[aart]

The rock was broody a month back.. Can't think of anything else strange to cause this, any ideas? Thinking an extra girl might help? Don't really want to expand too much.

Broodiness can cause some aggression, the broody is acting 'different'.
Did you let her hatch or....??

 

[Mrs. K]

Change things up, add clutter to the run to get under or on top of or behind. If you have clutter in the run, rearrange it. Add more feed bowls, some hidden from view. Pull the bully for a while, maybe a week. You need to change things up and offer some escapes.

 

[hodor]

Broodiness can cause some aggression, the broody is acting 'different'.
Did you let her hatch or....??

The exbroody is the one now suffering. Didn't let her hatch, no too and don't need/want more.

Change things up, add clutter to the run to get under or on top of or behind. If you have clutter in the run, rearrange it. Add more feed bowls, some hidden from view. Pull the bully for a while, maybe a week. You need to change things up and offer some escapes.

Thanks I'll try your tips. Has been happening while full access to the yard so lots of room and hiding places.

Any comments on one more to make a flock of 4?

I should add we lost a rock and replaced with a rock, don't think that makes a difference.

 

[aart]

The exbroody is the one now suffering. Didn't let her hatch, no too and don't need/want more.

Yes, broodies act different so they are attacked. How long since she was broody, how did you break her broodiness?

Adding another bird will only make things more complicated.