Bully Chicken Attacking Flock Mate

[Susan Dye]

Got a cardboard box? Break it down, and lean it up against her cage. Doesn't have to be fancy.
Use Christmas wrapping paper to cover one side.

Very clever! Cardboard I've got!

 

[Susan Dye]

Anyway, out of sight of the flock, if possible.
Mary

Thanks Mary. I'm working on it

 

[Susan Dye]

Just an update on my problem hen. When I started thinking of her as I was eating some chicken, I decided it was time to rehome her. There was an immediate change in the rest of the flock when she left. They are so much calmer. Even the ones not usually fond of being handled, allowed me to pick them up and pet them without resistance. Everyone is happily laying, scratching, eating to their hearts content, and only raising their voices when they are about to lay an egg. Might have been a cop out, or in this case, a coop out, but the final results were worth it

 

[Fran S]

All of these scenarios are very similar to what I am experiencing. I had been away for 12 days with someone watching the girls. I have 3 a RIR, Buff Orpington and a Rock Bar. All are the same age (3 years). Only the orpington is laying at the moment. My problem: the morning after I returned from vacation the RIR attacked the Rock Barr by jumping on her back. I intervened. When I let them out of the coop a minute later the RIR chased the Barr to attack again. Again, I intervened. Should I let them work it out or should I keep pulling them apart? I did separate the RIR last night. Should I keep them separated completely? For how long? The RIR has always been the most forward and the orpington the most "shy". Now they are fast friends and the Barr is out by herself in another part of the yard. She definitely is afraid of the RIR. I was thinking the person watching them may have been giving too much "junk food". If that's the case will this normalize on it's own. I'm a relative newbee at this and this is quite stressful for me (and the barr).

 

[Susan Dye]

Does she seem to be more aggressive when you are present?
Sometimes it seems they need to readjust the pecking order. I had one hen who always kept to herself until she started laying, now she's best buds with everyone except the newest girl. She was being pretty aggressive towards the young one until I went into the yard with this big broom that looks like a witches broom. Just stomped the ground with it every time she went after the new girl and it didn't take long for her to get the message that I am the head hen! She even lets me pet her now, though she still chases the new girl when treats are at stake Nothing terribly aggressive though. Now the new girl is trying her hand at moving up the ladder. For me, the main thing is to be sure they all know you are the head hen. Things might have just gotten to be a bit confusing for them when you went away then returned. As long as she's not drawing blood, I would give them a bit of time to work things out, all the while doing what you can to reestablish your place in the pecking order.

 

[OffGridChook]

I’m having this problem now. They grew up together, too . The only change has been that my husbands teens are in town and I’ve not been in there as much, still several times a day but less than usual. I was late letting them Out of the coop a few times since time change and maybe too many snacks (Veggies and greens). But now that she had bloody marks on her comb and above her eye they all (3) try to peck her. She slept in my bathroom one night and stayed there all day when she was first attacked. But now she stays on the outdoor perch during the day and steers clear of the others. But they don’t let her eat or drink so I go out there and hand feed her and guard her at the waterer. She knows it so if they get near she hides on my feet and I bend down and she jumps in my arms. It’s amazing how they know mom will protect them. Tonight they all went into the coop on the roost together because it was so dark they could not see her bloody comb to pick at it. All was quiet. I’ll just have to get up early before any light might get in there. Thank you for the Tips! I’ll have to separate the bully if it continues.