Chicken bully/chicken victim - a two-sided issue

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IndigoAngel
Excellent information. Very thoroughly explained.

I have a small coop (mass produced type) that I will incorporate into the larger run we are working on. Right now, I only have room for a large dog crate in the coop and I hate to leave a chicken confined in there for too long.
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Chickenma2021
Had lots of great information, but many people don't have the room for a chicken "jail" and this is the only usable option listed in the article.
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azygous
azygous
Keeping chickens and dealing with unusual problems that arise requires the diligent cultivation of your imagination. My imagination serves me fine but will only carry others just so far when I write an article trying to help.

You may not have room in your run to temporarily fence off one corner, but you might be able to find a corner in the coop for it. Or perhaps you've been meaning to expand your run and just need some motivation. This is a good time to take a look at your setup and think about pushing out a fence to make 100 more square feet of space to make your flock happier. In a pinch, a dog crate large enough for the bully victim to stand up in can serve as a safe refuge during bully victim treatment. It only needs to be used during the day as the victim will roost with the others at night.
H
Great idea and written with clear tools/information for implementation. Thank you!
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B
It looks like this approach was well explained and I hope I’ll be as successful. I have another day of customizing the new coop and run before I can give this poor hen a better life than hiding in the coop all day and still getting beat up when a couple of them hunt her down.
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Sammster
Thank you for this insightful article. I haven't experienced this in my young flock, yet. But, I do have a sweet, timid girl who I watch out for. She seems a bit unsure of herself
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HeathenHavenHomestead
Only helpful if you don’t free range.
Coops without runs cannot use this advice.
Good advice if you have a run for your chickens otherwise won’t help out for those without runs.
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SnootyHen
I have a dog crate in my run right now because I was integrating chicks. But I left it in there as jail right now and I was looking forward to getting it out of there but now I might just leave it.
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ronott1
It is nice to see an article that focuses on the victim of chickens being bullied!
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tarja15
Easy to follow practical advice. Well written. This article gives hope and a new view on a very old problem.
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P
This is super helpful! I got 4 layers, 2 Plymouth Rocks and 2 Easter Eggers 3-weeks ago. The 2 Easter eggers are the mean ones to the Rocks, but lay consistently. The Rocks have not laid an egg yet in 3 weeks. Iassumed that separating them to make sure they are all getting enough food would be prudent. I was going to put the Easter eggers in the tractor and leave the rocks in the caged/coop 8'x7' to encourage them to lay. I assume being in the tractor on the grass is cooler because it's different. How do I even the playing field and get my Rocks to start laying?
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PioneerChicks
Sweet stories, and I'm glad they all ended happily. I have several stories about bullying that didn't end well, but by using this method I believe I will develop many happily-ever-afters.

Yes, everybody should have a "Chicken Jail", though we call ours the "Chicken Hospital". In addition to a place for bullies chickens it can also be used for sick chickens, or introducing new chicks to the flock.

Great article with good info. Thanks for taking the time to make it, @azygous!
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Building Bridges
Very well written and the photos were wonderful (love the yellow turtleneck). This is an idea that's new to me and I'm glad to be able to add it to my "tool belt". I am also planning my coop and see the value in reserving a flexible space for victim isolation . Thank you for this article.
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Rooapalooza
I have never thought about separating the bullied and not just the bully! Great advice, hopefully I won't have to use it :). Although I prefer thinking of it as "Chicken Rehab Center" over "Chicken Jail" for spoiled little birds.
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Eggswithleggs
Thank you so much, I shall have to try this with my birds. My poor light Brahma, Ni Hao, just lets everyone pick at her and I've been at my wits end wondering what to do. Thanks for offering your perspective and insight on this very troubling issue.
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CindyinSD
Excellent job. I have a potential jailbird if she doesn’t get on the ball. Planning my very own jailhouse right now. Thanks for your wisdom!
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DobieLover
Although I've yet to have a chicken suffer from bullying, "victim refuge" will be one more use for my built-in brooder. It's nice to know that I will have a ready solution for a potential problem in my flock. Thank you for the well written, NOT too long article!
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Conan
Building a new coop this coming month. I will definitely add an additional space for this purpose. Really useful information for something I'd never thought about before.
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Hobbshouse14
This is so helpful for our situation! Thank you so much for sharing!
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ButtonquailGirl14
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CityslickerHomestead
I can definitely see myself implementing this system.

It never occurred to me to build a “jail” alongside the existing coop, but it makes perfect sense. I know squabbles in the flock are inevitable so I am doing my research now while my flock are still babies and easier to manage.

Also, raising the chicks in a brooder alongside the existing flock sounds like a great idea because when it’s time to truly introduce the new members, they will already be somewhat aquainted and will have their own refuge should they need it.

Thanks for the tips!
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