Bully Chicken - seeking strategies

[woundchic]

Thanks in advance for any advice regarding the dynamics of our group of chickens.

We have four Isa Brown chickens. They are about 2 years old, have been together their whole lives and never any issue. Chicken A has decided to bully Chicken D. Chicken A has become quite nasty - pecking, tackling, pulling out feathers and chasing her away. No physical trauma yet but after one week Chicken D was skitty, running away from her, lonely and not laying.

The chickens have a very large fully fenced in yard and extensive roosting and nesting space for overnight. They are let into a massive fenced back yard (we are on acerage) in the afternoons. It has been warm here but this behaviour did not start with the heat. They are laying every second day, except Chicken D. They are eating as usual, except Chicken D who is eating less. No overt broody behaviour by any of them.

In response I have separated Chicken A from the others, that is, when locked away she has her own area to be in, sleep, lay etc. This is a section of the main area so only chicken wire between her and the others. When the other 3 are out in the bigger yard in the afternoons, Chicken A roams around nearby (again a wire fence between them).

Every couple of days I have put them all together however Chicken A quickly makes a move on Chicken D. Chicken A is now becoming a bit anxious and noisy, and one of the other chickens now seems to be missing Chicken A.

So... if anyone can advise any other strategies to rectify this situation on I would be most grateful. Perhaps this is just how it is meant to be however would like to keep trying. As luck would have it our little nephew is very attached to this bully chicken...

Many thanks.

Suzanne

 

[aart]

Chicken D may be ill, or acting 'odd' fro some other reason, and the others want to drive her from the flock. Multiple feed and water stations would be good.
How old are birds in months?

extensive roosting and nesting space for overnight.

How 'extensive'...in feet by feet(or m x m)?
Dimensions...and pics...would help here.

also.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[SueT]

Pinless Peepers stopped the bullying for this hen of mine who had bloodied 2 others. These blinders snap into the nostrils and prevent pecking. They do not prevent eating, drinking or roosting. Or foraging. After a few months, I removed the peeper and she's a good girl now. You can get them cheap on Ebay. It takes 2 people to install, one to hold the bird, the other to place them. You don't need a tool, just your fingers.

 

[woundchic]

Awesome, thanks. Have added location. We are in a regional area of Victoria, south eastern state of Australia. Temperatures get to mid 40's on occasion, however high 20's to mid 30's is usual for this time of year. The girls are two years old.

The fenced yard is in the attached pic (first pic). The area that the bully is in (from early evening until late morning) is about one sixth of the total size (second pic) which I know is small however she is free ranging the rest of the day. The total size of this area is about 15 x 15 meters.

The other pic (pic 3) is the fenced yard that the other 3 are in from late morning until early evening. During this time the bully roams around near the permitter or in a palatable garden bed close by.

They have separate feed, water, shelter and nesting space. It is only chicken A that is being a bully and she is only picking on chicken D. When D is with the other two chickens they are getting on fine.

I can not see any signs of illness (however I guess these are not always apparent). Eggs and shells are fine, not poop problems and she really is just a normal chicken when the bully is not around.

Thanks for considering,

Suzanne

 

[woundchic]

I did see these online, however mixed reports. Your experience gives me hope, thanks. Will definitely consider if we can't sort otherwise. Cute chicken!

 

[SueT]

For the bully, it was either the Peepers or the Crockpot. So decision was easy. I think I paid $5 for 6 of them.