2 bully chickens

[LK3333]

Hi,

I'm having a problem with 2 bully chickens.

I have a large run with 2 coops inside.
One is the main coop and the other a cheap one that is used when birds need to be isolated/new birds etc.

The run is also is also sectioned off in two areas, so Im able to shut birds in separate areas. Run is predator proofed.

I've been to trying to introduce 3 pullets (about 22 weeks old) to the existing flock of 3. (Total 6 birds)

Have had the pullets in cheap coop for approx 4 weeks where they can all see each other.

One week in of having the pullets, I've bern letting the young ones run around for the afternoon in one of the sectioned off areas without the older hens.

Last week, I started to let them mingle (supervised) for about half an hour to an hour or do before bedtime.

2 of the hens are outright bullies. Going out of their way to search for the pullets and pull out feathers. Sometimes, they are jumping on them and trying to yank out feathers. 1 hen is normal (the oldest one) and gives the pullets a black look but she isn't aggressive. I've had a squirty bottle with water and spray immediately when they are aggressive. In the past this method worked, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I may have done things incorrectly here, but I put the 2 bullies in isolation because the spray bottle is not working and they seemed to be getting worse (they are in the coop where the pullets were originally residing for 4 weeks).

The pullets are now in the main coop.

After 4 days I let the bullies out and before long there at it again and now back in jail after a few hours.

There has been no issues with the young ones and hen overnight. There is plenty of room in the coop. 2 roosting bars, one higher than the other and 4 nesting boxes.

Two concerns -
How long should I leave the bullies in jail again?

And I'm concerned even if the bullies start to behave during the day and all together, they would all be sleeping together and so there could be feather picking at night.

Any advice or suggestions or reassurance would be welcomed.

Thank you

 

[thecatumbrella]

Can you post pictures of your setup?

One thing I've noticed about the see-no-touch method is you need to force proximity. It's not enough for the new pullets to be 6 feet away in plain site. They need to be interacting at point blank, preferably with feeders/treats right along the barrier.

Other than that, people will tell you to clutter up the run to break lines of sight, and give the new birds something to hide behind/under/over. I've found vertical space to be the most helpful in evading bullies, so something they can jump on and not be easily reached from the ground.

 

[LK3333]

Can you post pictures of your setup?

One thing I've noticed about the see-no-touch method is you need to force proximity. It's not enough for the new pullets to be 6 feet away in plain site. They need to be interacting at point blank, preferably with feeders/treats right along the barrier.

Other than that, people will tell you to clutter up the run to break lines of sight, and give the new birds something to hide behind/under/over. I've found vertical space to be the most helpful in evading bullies, so something they can jump on and not be easily reached from the ground.

Thanks. I will take photos tomorrow.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Hi,

I'm having a problem with 2 bully chickens.

I have a large run with 2 coops inside.
One is the main coop and the other a cheap one that is used when birds need to be isolated/new birds etc.

The run is also is also sectioned off in two areas, so Im able to shut birds in separate areas. Run is predator proofed.

I've been to trying to introduce 3 pullets (about 22 weeks old) to the existing flock of 3. (Total 6 birds)

Have had the pullets in cheap coop for approx 4 weeks where they can all see each other.

One week in of having the pullets, I've bern letting the young ones run around for the afternoon in one of the sectioned off areas without the older hens.

Last week, I started to let them mingle (supervised) for about half an hour to an hour or do before bedtime.

2 of the hens are outright bullies. Going out of their way to search for the pullets and pull out feathers. Sometimes, they are jumping on them and trying to yank out feathers. 1 hen is normal (the oldest one) and gives the pullets a black look but she isn't aggressive. I've had a squirty bottle with water and spray immediately when they are aggressive. In the past this method worked, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I may have done things incorrectly here, but I put the 2 bullies in isolation because the spray bottle is not working and they seemed to be getting worse (they are in the coop where the pullets were originally residing for 4 weeks).

The pullets are now in the main coop.

After 4 days I let the bullies out and before long there at it again and now back in jail after a few hours.

There has been no issues with the young ones and hen overnight. There is plenty of room in the coop. 2 roosting bars, one higher than the other and 4 nesting boxes.

Two concerns -
How long should I leave the bullies in jail again?

And I'm concerned even if the bullies start to behave during the day and all together, they would all be sleeping together and so there could be feather picking at night.

Any advice or suggestions or reassurance would be welcomed.

Thank you

If you have any larger space, with around 15 sq feet per bird, and some obstacles where they can duck/fly over, that'd be a good introduction point. Others say during sleeping hours is a good time, but I notice that when they do fight I see little red scabs on their beak the next morning. After that scuffle happens, there might be a second a few days later, but I don't consider it a problem as long as nobody is hurt more than that. However, with feather pickers, it could be much worse, so I'd avoid having them sleep together for now. A better time might be if you free range your chickens to introduce them then. They all have space, and they'll be less inclined to chase. Other options include switching which henhouse they are in for a day. This will dissolve a little bit of their territorial instinct.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think how you did the integration was good. Adding clutter to the run, does help, with multiple feed bowls out of sight.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140

But at this stage, I would try the pin less peepers for the two bullies.

Mrs K