Advice on Aggressive Hen

CJ94

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7 Years
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Jul 5, 2012
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Hello All,

We are relatively new to chicken keeping and have used the forum at BYC for some good hints and tips for some time. However, it now appears that I must ask for some advice ourselves.

One of our chickens has recently become very aggressive towards the other and I am a little unsure of what action to take.

We originally had 3 chickens (one pekin, and two auricanas) as chicks in August last year. Sadly the 'middle' chicken died (suspected Marek's) several months ago. The pekin was broody at the time and they both seemed subdued for a short while. Finally the pekin broke her broodiness (a bath really seemed to help!) and things seemed back to normal. However, shortly after that, about a week ago, the larger chicken started aggressively pecking and jumping on the smaller one.

We understand about asserting the pecking order, etc however there doesn't seem to be any question between the two of them which is dominant - the pekin will crouch quite readily for the auricana and stay put with no fighting back. But then the bigger one just doesn't stop - pulling feathers and very aggressively pecking the smaller, drawing blood on occasion.

We now separate them first thing in the morning (they seem to be fine together in the dark of the coop at night) and occasionally have supervised visits together in the neutral ground of the rest of the garden but at some point she always attacks her and we have to separate them again.

I'd just like to know if we are working in the right direction and the aggressiveness will pass in time, or if anyone can suggest any other methods of dealing with the problem.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.
CJ
 
Hi CJ94--

welcome to the BYC forum. How rotten of the agressive hen to diminish your enjoyment of chickens. Here is one thing that you may want to consider to prevent her from being able to harm her companion:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/673137/device-to-stop-pecking#post_916192

What you have is IMO a tough flock management question. would adding a third chicken help?? Could you rehome the agressive one to a different owner and get yourself a more docile hen?

Best of luck with what you decide.
 

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