What can I do about my nasty hen?

[ChickenCanoe]

Definitely remove the bully and house her separately for at least a week. Then things may go better when she's introduced. If not, separate her for another week.

Established flock look upon new birds as a threat. They instinctively feel they will complete for resources and can possibly bring in disease. They try to drive them away to protect the flock.

Quote:

She won't hold an egg. Once ovulation occurs, the egg will be laid in about 24 hours. Pullets at POL usually try out the nest box a few days before the first egg.

Should I put the chicks in there for a few days before letting the big girls in so they “claim it”?

Put the chicks in there a couple days and then add an older bird every couple days, starting with the most docile and lastly, the mean one.

I reiterate the advice I had already given on the first page of this thread.

 

[Chicken Cake]

How cruel? Crueler than what she's doing to the chicks?
I don't think it's cruel to keep her isolated if she's beating the h e doublehockeysticks out of the chicks.
Go ahead and lock her up for a few days....then give her another chance and lock her up every time she goes 'bad'.

ETA....didn't mean to sound snarky....just a bit sarcastic.

I didn’t take it as snarky.

Quote:

I reiterate the advice I had already given on the first page of this thread.

We have room for 6 chickens to live peacefully in my back yard. It was originally 4 but I miraculously ended up with all pullets when I tried to add 2 more so we’re trying to make it work. I read your advice and appreciated it. But I don’t have enough hens to add “older, docile” ones first and Sausage last. She’s either left all alone or she’s at least part of the mix, which is the basis of my question about whether that is cruel.

 

[csaylorchickens]

I don't think it's cruel
I have a broody breaker and I use it as a timeout box for my girls if there is one that gets mean. I have only had to use it once for timeout. It let's the flock reset itself without the trouble maker.

 

[bobbi-j]

In my opinion, "cruel" is mistreatment. You are not mistreating this bird if you isolate her for a few days. It would be "cruel" to put her alone in a tiny cage with no protection from the elements, or food and water. Isolating for a few days to reset her attitude then returning her to the flock is not mistreating her. I agree with Mrs. K's philosophy in making decisions for the betterment of the flock - not just one bird. And, as Donrae has said, your chicken may not be happy, but she'll get over it. You're the human and it's up to you to make the decisions.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Not cruel. Unhappy maybe but mostly because she can't abuse the young birds.

 

[Chicken Cake]

Well, she seems to think it’s cruel. There is a 2 foot long, 6 inch deep trench where she’s been pacing since last night. This is with everyone locked up in the run and no more than 10 feet from her.

It could be time to think about re-homing. I don’t have the facilities to manage this long term and she might be happier in a larger flock.

 

[Chicken Cake]

First egg is here. Small and tan but she laid it in the dishpan. She also gathered up every loose feather she could find (from the previous chick tenants) and made a fancier nest than I provided.

My fingers are crossed that she settles down soon. The squawking has stopped but she's still pacing.

 

[aart]

First egg is here. Small and tan but she laid it in the dishpan. She also gathered up every loose feather she could find (from the previous chick tenants) and made a fancier nest than I provided.

My fingers are crossed that she settles down soon. The squawking has stopped but she's still pacing.

It's not blue?!?!?
Off with her head!!!!
LOL.

She's upset to be separated from the flock, exacerbated by the newly laying hormone surge....
.....POL (point of lay) bird should be easy to sell, worth $15-20 anyway.

 

[Chicken Cake]

Yes, it was a major let down to get tan! She hatched out of a big, blue egg in my daughter’s bedroom and has blue legs. I was told that would make it a sure thing. LOL

Said daughter will be the kink in re-homing but I’m going to put some feelers out and see what happens. It’s been many weeks of not being able to please everyone and I’m gaining perspective.

 

[aart]

Yes, it was a major let down to get tan! She hatched out of a big, blue egg in my daughter’s bedroom and has blue legs. I was told that would make it a sure thing. LOL

Said daughter will be the kink in re-homing but I’m going to put some feelers out and see what happens. It’s been many weeks of not being able to please everyone and I’m gaining perspective.

Depends on who da mommy and daddy were....if blue egg came from an EE cross, that cuts the chance in half.