I thought I would share that about 3 weeks ago one of my hens (which is taller and bigger than the rest) became intent on picking on my smallest RIR "snooki" aka "little girl" and she also was bullying several other hens. Some pecking is understandable but the offender would constantly chase snooki away from the food and two other hens she plucked feathers off their bottoms.
I started thinking about how I have no roosters but all the hens think I'm the roo because they do the squat thing so I just cornered her in the run and with my finger used like a beak I pecked her on her head/neck. I would peck her until she kept her head down and acted submissive. I did this several times when I would see her "abusing her power" and picking on the other hens excessively. It only took a few times of me doing this each day for a couple days and her attitude changed to being more peaceful.
The pecking order wasn't disturbed so no new fights over position, food, roost position, etc. All that was changed was I reestablished to the bully hen that I was the top of the pecking order.
Snooki is allowed at the feeder with minimal problems and back sides are healing up.
I started thinking about how I have no roosters but all the hens think I'm the roo because they do the squat thing so I just cornered her in the run and with my finger used like a beak I pecked her on her head/neck. I would peck her until she kept her head down and acted submissive. I did this several times when I would see her "abusing her power" and picking on the other hens excessively. It only took a few times of me doing this each day for a couple days and her attitude changed to being more peaceful.
The pecking order wasn't disturbed so no new fights over position, food, roost position, etc. All that was changed was I reestablished to the bully hen that I was the top of the pecking order.
Snooki is allowed at the feeder with minimal problems and back sides are healing up.
