Bullied Pullet. Am I doing the right things?

[theHiggs]

My 22 week old hen, Jasmine, was fully integrated into my flock of 6 (same age-ish) a bit over a month ago. Everything was going well, a little chasing from my Speckled Sussex, Raya, but otherwise she was cautiously happy. My Austra White, Elsa, was previously a very timid thing but when she started laying last week, she started being aggressive toward my new hen. I noticed yesterday that Jasmine was hiding out in a nesting box all day but I didn't notice much bullying. I separated her for a bit so she could get her food and water and relax. Today I went out and found Elsa had cornered her and was just pecking at her. I cleaned her wound with VetRx, put Blu kote on, covered the area with an apron so flies don't get near it and gave her vitamin/electrolyte water. I separated her into a dog kennel. And bought pinless peepers for Elsa. I'm praying once she heals and goes back to the flock that the peepers will stop the pecking. I'm not familiar with peepers. How long should they stay on? Does it help change the behavior for good? Do I need to change them out periodically? Does it hurt them? Also, did I do everything I am supposed to for my poor Jasmine? Lastly, I what point do you start thinking about rehoming? Thank you for your help!! It all happened so fast.

 

[BDutch]

Ooh how nasty.
I have no experience with peepers and don't know how to use them. But I do know it can take ‘forever’ to heal (mentally) if a chicken is traumatised bc of bullying. It took my Janice about a year to get along with the flock and she still has periods when she prefers to sleep apart, in a quiet spot. She is 5 yo now.

Maybe separate Elsa after Janice has healed and the cage is free.?

Or take the peepers off, after Janice has healed and is comfortable in the group again. Then carefully watch what happens. Wouldn’t hesitate to separate Elsa, use the spray or put the peepers on Elsa again. Reward her with a treat (and the others) if they behave nicely. Chickens are often trainable with treats if hormones or traumas are not involved.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Good advice above! I would consider removing the aggressor from the flock after your pullet is healed up. That might change the dynamics for the better. In my flock bullies aren’t tolerated. Aggressive birds get et.

 

[theHiggs]

Has anyone had experience with the pinless peepers and port hole feeders? Before I put them on my bully, I want to know if I need to buy a different feeder.

UPDATE: Jasmine is healing nicely but still a ways to go. I haven't incorporated her back with the rest yet.

 

[alinas2010]

I have had good luck with azygous’s approach to bullying, you might give it a try if possible:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

I don’t know about peepers, sorry. But I think bullied chickens do need to gain confidence.

 

[McChooky]

It would have removed the bully the minute l discovered she was cannibalizing this hen. Obviously you have a space or diet issue or possibly both but if anyone goes it should be the cannibal before she teaches the others Todo the same.This is difficult to break in a flock

 

[BDutch]

I have had good luck with azygous’s approach to bullying, you might give it a try if possible:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

I don’t know about peepers, sorry. But I think bullied chickens do need to gain confidence.

Thanks for the link to @azygous article.

 

[alinas2010]

Thanks for the link to @azygous article.

Welcome I never know whether I should tag her or not when I share it, I know how often she gets called upon for hurt or injured chickens and I don’t know if I’d be clogging up her notifications unnecessarily by tagging

 

[BDutch]

I think the writer of an article is always pleased to know the article is appreciated. There’s no obligation to respond if tagged.

 

[azygous]

Pinless peepers can be useful in curbing aggressive behavior, but they should be used only for a few months, then removed. I've had hens develop calluses in the nares, and sometimes, these will permanently inhibit breathing. Short term, they do not hurt the chicken.

The better approach to bullying, however, is to treat the victim to restore self confidence so she will defend herself against aggression. My article was helpfully linked to by @alinas2010 in post #5.