Big Mama is in time out!

[X2Farm]

So, while making an extension on the older hens run (not enough wire

gotta finish tomorrow) the hens and Roo went into the coop. All I hear is squabbling and shrieks of terror from 3 other hens

and I peek in, and Big Mama, the Head Hen In Charge was terrorizing the other girls

Well, I needed to blukote the other 2 who had feathers missing, so I snatched her out, and now she sits in the living room, in a brooder bin, alone, in a time out.

Will this take her down on the pecking order some? How long should I keep her seperated to help knock her down a few rungs?

The other 4 hens are pretty mild mannered, and the only one I've ever seen cause a ruckus was Big Mama.. now, she got the time out

 

[Lovable Chicks]

I have 5 chickens who were pecking at all the other hens I have(got 19 total) and we separated them for about 3 weeks and then put them back...there better some but do still on occasion peck the others. I noticed it helps if they have something to keep them busy.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

I hope your solution helps. I had two BR hens (Pauline and Dorothy) who were the "head honchos" of my coop. They kept EVERYONE on the run...even went after our rooster as a tag-team attack on occasion. I tried separating them but after a month nothing worked. I would re-introduce one or both and they would gang up on everyone again when both were together. Finally had to sell Dorothy. She wasn't a consistent layer and seemed to be the most aggressive although she was submissive to Pauline. Since the removal of her buddy (hate that but I had no choice) Pauline is much more subdued. Still the top hen but much more accepting. She is on an egg strike now however. Day 6 without an egg. She is fighting this battle with her mind now.

 

[X2Farm]

I really hope it helps. She's a good layer, and is very healthy and a sweetie once she's caught. She just likes to peck and rip feathers outta the others, and mount them... Maybe she's not laying, or has a failed ovary and has testosterone overload

I dunno. I'm gonna keep her out for a couple days, and see about putting her back on Sunday or so. Hopefully it helps some... if not, well, hopefully some free range time for them all will help

 

[drumstick diva]

snowhunter, maybe Big Mama wll decide she likes to be in the living room with the humans, and not want to go back to the coop.

 

[beachchickie]

Yeah, then she will be the queen of your roost! HA

 

[X2Farm]

that wouldn't suprise me

She went back out... I guess I grabbed the wrong hen

I felt like an idiot!! LOL! So, out Big Mama went, and in came the other terrorizer... and all is well again

e The girls are outside free ranging with Big Daddy (The Roo) and Grumpus Butt is in here in a brooder, and NOT happy about it

Now we'll see how things go

If the 3 girls don't grow saddle feathers back soon, I'll hafta get some covers for em,