And still nobody decides to help me!

[Jman45]

Roos tend to mature a bit earlier than the pullets so he might be ready to mate before they are ready to let him. If you notice feathers missing from their backs etc that might be what is happening. But I might be borrowing trouble and you never have a problem.

No when I tried to put the oldest hen on the roost with the younger ones she started pecking them not bad though

 

[Pugsabi]

But when I tried to put her on the roost with the younger ones she pecked at one of them

She might have been establishing her place. Just because she pecked them doesn't mean she actually hurt them. A peck or two is normal. If she rushes them and starts pecking multiple times and kicking or pulling out feathers, drawing blood etc that's when you really have to worry.

 

[Jman45]

She might have been establishing her place. Just because she pecked them doesn't mean she actually hurt them. A peck or two is normal. If she rushes them and starts pecking multiple times and kicking or pulling out feathers, drawing blood etc that's when you really have to worry.

So she was probaly just showing her authority then cause she pecked 3-4 times is that fine?

 

[Pugsabi]

So she was probaly just showing her authority then cause she pecked 3-4 times is that fine?

Yes. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I freaked when I put in my youngest (about 4 weeks old vs the 8 weeks old) and they all turned on her. I just made sure she have a safe place to go but by day three she had her place in the flock. They peck each other occasionally but it's no big deal.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

So she was probaly just showing her authority then cause she pecked 3-4 times is that fine?

Sounds normal to me. If she really wanted to go all out and fight she would do roundhouse kicks and stuff..... but a few pecks here and there is just chickens way of establishing a pecking order.

 

[HuskerHens18]

In order to show their rank, chickens will peck, bite, and chase the others until everyone knows it. Some chickens will go over the top and continuously do these things until lower ranks are bloody, that is the type of chicken you cull.
If it's just a few pecks and not actual attacking, it's fine, no need to cull.

And just an FYI, there are hundreds of threads posted everyday. Sometimes someone else's thread covers yours and no one sees it. Have a little patience, most of us have very busy lives and can't cater to every thread. Google is a great alternative to learning chicken behaviors

 

[BirdGirl2004]

I agree with all ya'll! The difference in the ages are too high! Although I hate culling hens in particular, I would either make her into noodle soup or find her a home where she can't pick on youngin's!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you only have a single roost? Multiple roosts can help a little just by keeping some distance. Or you can even try putting up a piece of cardboard on the roost bar to form a barrier to make it harder for the older bird to get to the young ones.

And just an FYI, there are hundreds of threads posted everyday. Sometimes someone else's thread covers yours and no one sees it. Have a little patience, most of us have very busy lives and can't cater to every thread.

This. There's only 6 minutes between your first 2 posts. I'm happy if I get 2 replies in 24 hrs. Patience is a virtue.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

i have 4 yellow buff Orpingtons, two pullets one cockerel and one hen. Bought them all from the same place. But I noticed the older hen is basically bullying young ones. They will be eating and she comes and pecks them away. Then tonight, I tried to put her on the roost with the rest of them but as soon as I did she started pecking at them. What do I do?

Hi! Try separating her for a week from the rest of the group and then let her fend for herself against the group in a weeks time, maybe that will change her status. Young ones grow fast and their demeanor can change so much in a week and also being away from a bully can give them more confidence. The bully may end up nicer after being alone for awhile, she may be more welcoming to company.

 

[dishfickle]

I keep a small place for the little ones to escape to. I've never had one seriously injure another, it's just hard to watch