I notice that my former victim with the original flock of grown hens is also the biggest bully to the newly integrated pullets -- she's terrible! She was also the only hen who chased and pecked our cats. I've taken to "cuddle therapy" where she gets extra time with me either sitting on my lap, or riding on my shoulder. She was never a big cuddler, but now she flies up into my arms and burrows her head into my neck.
She's the only hen that I allow in my vegetable garden now, so she has some peace away from the "Mean Girls" and doesn't have to act tough with the "Littles" either.
Excellent column. I haven't had a real bullying issue yet. I had a Isa Brown who was part of an old layer flock I sold. She was bullying my new Silver Wyandottes but it was an easy fix as I was selling the Isa Brown anyway. So it wasn't an issue but when I run into an issue with hens I'm keeping. This column will be invaluable information. Thanks for taking the time to share.
I placed a bird who was being bullied (instead of the other way around) in an adjacent pen for a short time and while I didn't do it long enough to see behavioral change, the poor picked-on girl relaxed quite a bit. (I gave her lots of extra love too, which she seemed to appreciate.) The idea of giving the victim a break makes a lot of sense. I plan to experiment further with this idea. Thanks for this article!
It is great to see an article that addresses the "victim"! I have a shy legbar that is a chronic victim. While none of my hens are terrible bullies, they do tend to run her away from the feed. Even the smaller chicks seem to recognize her as the victim. I'm going to give this a try as soon as I can get the 4 weeks old out of the adjoining run. Thanks for a great article!
I've been noticing a lot of timid behaviour from our Orpington girl and have been wondering what could be done about it. It isn't even that the bullying is all that bad, but it is frustrating to see her act so submissive even when no one is actively harassing her.
This is a remarkably simple method for tackling overly-submissive behaviour in the flock, advice which is sorely needed when most sources only focus on the bullies.
Thanks for the info! It makes sense and is easy to do. So far, my girls have worked things out. My 9 year old Plymouth Rock, rules the roost over the three 1 year old white Brahmas and it's pretty peaceful!
This is great! We really do focus on the bully.
I try to give my victims more attention & treats, but sometimes I think it backfires on me when the bully gets even more jealous & goes after the victim more.
I never thought of sending the victim off for a week at the spa. I’ll definitely try it!
I am glad to hear that you also give the bullying victim special treatment. I have been doing that for a while, but was just kinda winging it (no pun intended.) My oldest & former #1 hen (Pistachio, Barred Rock) has gotten a little weaker with age & another hen (Veronica, Auricana) has taken to bullying her. V will pop everyone, but really seems to set her sights on Pistachio.
This past Friday, hubby came home to find that Pistachio had somehow gotten into a hole in the chicken yard & couldn't right herself. (Those girls dig to China, so it's a small wonder that P couldn't get outta the hole.) Apparently, someone (any guesses as to who?) pecked her hard enough above her eye to cause it to swell clised & it looked like someone had taken her by the comb & just pinched the absolute b'jeezus out of it, she was such a bruised & bloody mess! (I was out of town & Mr thought 'oh no...poor P is dead & mama hasn't even been gone 12 hours!' Fortunately, she came around when he called her name, he scooped her up, took her in the house, cleaned her up, gave her some eye ointment, put ointment on her comb, cuddled her, gave her special food, Pedialyte & let her stay in a box on the washer. (A great chicken Dad is worth his weight in gold!)
She chirped & chortled at him all weekend & was perky enough that he let her out to forage with her flock mates on Sat & Sun. By Sun night, she'd rejoined the flock on her own & decided that her Spa weekend was over.
They've been fine ever since. But I know that naughty bird Veronica & just as I was thinking about a jail cell, I drove by a large, wire dog crate for sale! Let's just say that there was total silence as I unloaded it from my car, explained that it was chicken jail & that if I had to use it, it was going to be for more than 1 day...VERonica!
Hopefully, I won't have to use jail, but I have that as an option, just like taking the victim to the Chicken Spa. Chicken Spa is peaceful, quiet place, full of delicious foods & water/drinks that are all for the guest...no sharing! I highly recommend both Chicken Jail for the bully & a stay at the Chicken Spa for anyone who needs to get back on her feet.
And I'm glad to know that I have been on the right track! Thanks for the great article.
Nicely written with lots of detail. I do something similar for bullied chickens, even the roosters. they come in the house to the "hospital" pen and get the spa treatment with a bath and a blow dry. For a couple of days they get to be a house chicken and eat and drink undisturbed with special people food treats. By then I have decided whether to give them their own space outside or put them in a different coop. Most of them have some sort of mild injury and I like to make sure they are healing or recovering. For the really timid chickens they get to live with the bantam flock for a while and it does wonders for their confidence.
I like that someone took the time and care to explain how it works for them and exactly what to do. Excellent article based on experience and results.
