Bullied Chicken

[TBeiter]

Help!

I have 5 Hens now and I came back from vacation yesterday to one of my hens, Quibbler, being bullied... I knew one of my hens had died while we were gone due to disease, would that have anything to do with it? she hasnt been getting food, so i have been giving it to her.

The last 2 times that this has happened (exeption being when I integrated a new batch of chickens) ended up in 1- giving away a chicken, which I dont want to do now, and 2- a hen being pecked to death.

Thank you!!!!!

PS- I've heard of Stockholm Tar to stop the pecking- does anyone know if it works?

 

[Judy]

I would watch them for a while to see if I could pick out a "head bully," and remove that chicken for several days to a week, out of sight of the others. Then when it returns, it should be at the bottom of the pecking order.

There are several products that are supposed to discourage pecking. I think the bottom line is, sometimes they work.

 

[TBeiter]

Thanks Judy,

There is one problem with your advice unfortunatly-all of them are pecking her. I've looked online some more and found many people saying that crating her in a dog cage and putting her in the coop works, so right now i'm trying that...

Thank you!!!!!

 

[cafarmgirl]

They may all be pecking her but many times there is an instigator who starts it and then they all join in. I've had that happen and when I removed the trouble maker the others got along fine, nobody else started trouble. If you remove the low-on-the-totem-pole hen then they might just start up again on the next one in line. It can be a hard cycle to break.

 

[ten chicks]

Thanks Judy,

There is one problem with your advice unfortunatly-all of them are pecking her. I've looked online some more and found many people saying that crating her in a dog cage and putting her in the coop works, so right now i'm trying that...

Thank you!!!!!

Did you get all hens at the same time? If the one being pecked came after the others,or looks different(fancy breed)this may be the problem. I would suggest getting another hen so she has a friend,just remember the quarantine rule. I know this does not help your immediate problem,but will help in the long run,if she has a friend pecking should lessen and she will be happy.

 

[TBeiter]

I got all of the hens from tractor supply at the same time as chicks, all of the hens are red sex link. I could easily get another hen to keep her company.... getting more hens, great! Thank you ten chicks! cafarmgirl- thank you the cycle hasnt continued thankfully, but I will try removing the worst bully before getting another hen.

Thank you, all of you!!!!!

 

[TBeiter]

I've separated the bully, and the flock was fine, but then after 3 days I tried to reinagrate her with the flock, but she started bullying the same hen while she was getting pecked on herself for being "new".....HELP!!!!!!!!!!! Everything's messed up!

 

[chickers]

Remove the bully hen for at least a week, then try again. Three days may not be enough.

 

[TBeiter]

nevermind, nothing worked and i didnt want someone to die so I gave the bully to my uncle where she can start over.... Thanks everyone!

 

[Eyeshot]

I know this is an old thread, but I'm having the same problem, all the chickens are beating up on one and there's no distinct bully, what should I do?