I have three hens, two of them much larger than the third (shes not a bantam just really skinny). Lately I've seen the larger ones pecking at her comb( when they are dust bathing or eating). One morning there was dried blood on her comb. Is there any way to stop them from bullying her?
Their pen is a dog run about 9by7. The coop itself is pretty small. I had to use a wooden shipping crate that is just flipped on its side. As for environment it is pretty boring. I throw weeds to them quite often,but that is about it. is there anything else I could give them?(this is my first time with chickens so I don't really know what is safe to give them)
If you get an empty soup can and put a couple of rocks and pennies in it with duct tape over the top, sit outside for a while and shake the can whenever they start bullying her. They can't stand the noise, and if you consistently do this, they will probably get along much better.
I am a newbie, but I think an interesting environment is key. You say dog run - is it chain link? If so, great place to put additional perches / roosts. Just put sticks through the holes in the corners of varied thicknesses and at varied heights.
I am a big fan of using free, wooden pallets for making things. You could make some sort of structure out of pallets. Then, the bullied girl can get away / hide. I am presently hanging wooden pallets from trees because my girls luv junk. They already roost on a wooden pallet I have resting on an air conditioner unit. I made a ladder out of one so they can get into the top of the house. (I have ducks too - and sometimes like to close the lower doors to keep ducks in /out.) Even though mine free-range, they like to roost on junk - especially wooden pallets.
If you can let them out of the run sometimes, that is good. I am amazed at how mine instinctively go into their house at sunset. Since yours have been kept up awhile, they will easily go in at night, so you can perhaps let them out late afternoon when you can watch them at first.
I hear folks talk about hanging a cabbage in the runs for a 'tether ball' treat.
Anything they can get under and on top of is good - such as an old wooden high chair.
I keep going back to wooden pallets. I actually have lots of creations using them. You can easily make a 'teepee' using just two.
I am building a new duckhoue out of pallets now. Here is a shot to give you an idea of my pallet structures at Quackmire Downs. My orignial octaganol house started with 8 pallets.
