Bullies in the flock

[lindsay750]

Hi
I've got 10 chickens, who have everything they could wish for!! But they're pecking each others feathers, (heads and chest, its not a moult, this was happening before newbies arrival) they don't appear to be laying well either!
Now I know its not ideal timing, but we've taken on 3 chickens who we tried to integrate into our flock, but they're picking big time on one of them, so tonight we removed them.
They had a week next door to each other before we put newbies in, then we took bully out for 24hrs.
What do I do?! Part of me is thinking I'm going to cull the bullies!!!! But another part of me doesn't want to

 

[enola]

How big is your hen house?

 

[lindsay750]

They free range 630am-6pm, then have an enclosed run that is roughly 2m by 6m, with perches, that according to guidelines should fit 14 birds easily! Is it not enough room?

 

[Folly's place]

Some birds will be bullies, and won't get along with very mellow birds. I have rehomed or culled aggressive individuals, and made other breed choices, on the basis of behaviors. Plenty of space, good food, parasite management, and careful integration of new birds; all important. Any stress will affect production in laying hens, and only time and removing stressors will fix it. mary