Thank you so much, after reading it, it feels very much like Doh!! Why didn't I think of this?
I have a brahma being bullied by a bantam araucana and it's really frustrating because she (my brahma) now steers clear of all my hens, and wanders the garden by herself. I am going to give this a try, thank you again.
I was looking for your aggressive chick article and found this. Ironically, there were two simultaneous posts, one needing help with a bully chick, and another needing help with a hen being bullied. Both of your articles got pasted to each respectively. Thank you!
This is a super article, and I now know not to run out and find special yarn for chicken garments. But really, your work on this article is appreciated and your experience is admired.
I realized I haven’t rated this, but I recommend it to anyone I see with bullying issues, because it’s helped me. It’s an approach I never would’ve thought of but makes complete sense. Thanks a million, you’re so helpful to so many!
This is a great idea, one I've often utilized in my own flock. I do have one hen who just has to live by herself now, as the three hens who pick on her don't give her a break, but this method has worked with some of my others.
@Lacy Duckwing -- I have used the method of isolating the timid bird from the flock and it does boost her confidence to where she's returned to the flock & doesn't pay attention to the bully. If a timid bird continues victim behavior other birds will join bullying. But once the timid bird is isolated for a few days she returns to the flock unafraid. I've noticed sometimes a broody bird gets picked on by others so I isolate broodies too till they break the broody behavior (I don't have a roo or raise chicks so when a hen goes broody we break her to keep her from getting picked on). Birds can be mean to each other -- just like mean bullies in a children's playground!
Awesome imput on this information! I am one of those chicken keepers who often look to stop the bully hen and overlook boosting the victim hen's confidence. This article was very eye-opening and I would like to try this myself.
Solid common sense advice with real world examples to back it up. I just integrated a five month old pullet named Frida into my flock very easily by doing pretty much exactly what you recommend here. It only took 3 days of having her in an wide mesh screened area to eat and relax by herself -- while she could still see the flock around her and they could see her. Last night she walked into the coop to roost by herself and no one hassled her. It helps that my senior hen Cleo is too boss to be bothered with harassing her and pretty much signals to the others to leave her be.
I agree that having an enclosed area where newbies can get on their feet is essential. Good for birds who are injured or feeling a bit down as well.
Excellent article with practical advice. I searched for help because my speckled sussex, Lucy is getting bullied on by an australorp and a barred rock. This is so helpful
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Actually she was in a different run while everyone was out foraging...eating, dusting and enjoying herself immensely. I shut the gate to protect her for awhile. I am a bit concerned still about putting her in the roost for the night.
Excellent advice, I'll be trying this with a langshan. Don't know if it's a breed thing but he's definitely timid. His cockerel flockmate seems to be going out of his way to harass him. Honestly, Im afraid the langshan will hurt himself trying to get away. I'm sure hormones are playing a role but it's worth a shot. The bully has overall improved since being added to this coop and separated from his brother. He just has it out for this poor lanshan
A really good article with lots of helpful information! I am guilty of just dealing with a bully, after reading this article I will take a totally different approach.
