jeanpr
In the Brooder
We have 5 chickens. One is very old (8 years apx) Two that are 1 year 9 months (Easter Eggers) and two that are 9 months (a Sex Link and Plymouth Rock). We raised the four youngest from chicks.
We introduced the two youngest to the flock gradually when they were 3 months old. All seemed to be well for the first month-6 weeks and then the two Easter Eggers started picking on the youngest chicken, the Sex Link. The bullying behavior has gradually increased to a point when we caught them jumping on her, pecking her head and drawing blood. We separated the two youngest chicks and the three oldest into their own areas. The oldest free ranged in the back yard and the youngest on a large run on the side of the house so she could heal and grow the feathers back.
We have been trying to gradually reintroduce the two youngest, but the bullying has not stopped. One day the youngest jumped the fence to the neighbor's yard. We have separated the oldest ones by confining them to the coop and letting the younger ones free range for a few days. However, as we try to let them all free range again, as soon as the youngest goes for food and grabs a treat one of the Easter Eggers will jump on her and the two other oldest will pile on.
The five started out in a large coop that is built for 8. One morning when I went to open the coop, I found the youngest pinned in the corner with the Easter Eggers on top of her and pecking at her. Currently, we have the two youngest sleeping in the old coop and the three oldest in the new, larger coop.
Nothing seems to stop the oldest from jumping on her and the others piling on. We are at our wits end. We love our girls, but my husband is ready to give away the Easter Eggers. I want to keep trying. Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
We introduced the two youngest to the flock gradually when they were 3 months old. All seemed to be well for the first month-6 weeks and then the two Easter Eggers started picking on the youngest chicken, the Sex Link. The bullying behavior has gradually increased to a point when we caught them jumping on her, pecking her head and drawing blood. We separated the two youngest chicks and the three oldest into their own areas. The oldest free ranged in the back yard and the youngest on a large run on the side of the house so she could heal and grow the feathers back.
We have been trying to gradually reintroduce the two youngest, but the bullying has not stopped. One day the youngest jumped the fence to the neighbor's yard. We have separated the oldest ones by confining them to the coop and letting the younger ones free range for a few days. However, as we try to let them all free range again, as soon as the youngest goes for food and grabs a treat one of the Easter Eggers will jump on her and the two other oldest will pile on.
The five started out in a large coop that is built for 8. One morning when I went to open the coop, I found the youngest pinned in the corner with the Easter Eggers on top of her and pecking at her. Currently, we have the two youngest sleeping in the old coop and the three oldest in the new, larger coop.
Nothing seems to stop the oldest from jumping on her and the others piling on. We are at our wits end. We love our girls, but my husband is ready to give away the Easter Eggers. I want to keep trying. Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.