Bully chicken

[istanley24]

Hiya.

We have just got our very first chickens. We got 6, and all are various breeds (Amber Star, White Star, Bluebell, 2 Black Stars and a Goldline).

They are all 15 weeks old apart from the Goldline, which is 19 weeks old. This goldline has been bullying the White star and Amber star (our only white chickens) and will not let them eat or drink, or even go into the hosue if she is around. We had to manually put them in last night. The Amber star seems to be taking the worst of the bullying, and both are always trying to hide away behind the coop.

We were warned that the goldline could be a bit of a problem, but she is fine with the rest. The bluebell even seems to be the dominant chicken, so it can't be establishing pecking order could it?

The lady that we got them from has said that if it is a problem, we can take her back and swap for another chicken that is 15 weeks old.

Is there anything we can do to try and stop the bullying, or do we just take her back for a different breed?

 

[Judymae]

I would consider taking her back. Just because you don't want the other chickens stressing too much.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

I also would take her back. I imagine it is a "pecking order" thing, but whatever it is, it is bound to be miserable for the 2 light colored girls, and they may even become injured. Or ill from lack of feed and water, or so downtrodden that they will never be comfortable with the rest of the flock, if you let it go on too long. Just my opinion, but I don't like bullies. Good Luck.

 

[istanley24]

I don't like bullies either, it is a lovely brown bird, but I want the whole flock to be happy, so will be taking her back and getting another white bird.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

'Scuse my geographic ignorance, but where do you live? England? Your "Abinddon, Oxon" has me curious.
anyway, I'm glad you decided to replace the pullet.

 

[istanley24]

Well, unfortunately we had to take the Bovan Goldline back to the supplier and swap her for another Amber star. She just wouldn't let the two white chickens eat or drink or go into the house, she was terrorising them!

But as soon as we removed her from the run, the whole attitude of the others changed and they were so happy. The new Amber star settled in straid away, and the three white ones go everywhere together. Looks like a really happy flock now. I just hope the goldline finds a nice home (probably with some other goldlines so it is not a bully for life!)

Now I just can't wait for my first egg, but I don't know when to expect it. All the chickens are around 15 weeks old. When do you think they'll begin to lay?


P.S, Abingdon is a town in the Oxfordshire county. I am in the UK.

 

[KrisRose]

Is an Amber Star a hybrid? I'm not familiar with the bred but if they are they will start laying earlier than purebreds. My ISA Browns just started laying at 16 weeks. They are a RIR and a Light Sussex cross.

 

[istanley24]

All six of my girls are hybrids. I think they are as follows

2 x Black Star (or 'Bovans Nera') - Rhode Island Red / Plymouth Rock
2 x Amber Star - (do not know the cross breeds)
1 x Bluebell - Rhode Island Red / Cuckoo Maran
1 x White Star - Leghorn cross (not sure what crossed with)

The Amber stars and White star slept well on the perches last night, but the other three were in the nest boxes. Should I cover the boxes up for a few days until they are settled. i don't want them to get into the habit of sleeping int he nestboxes. I was thinking of covering them up and then putting a couple of white golf balls in the nests when I uncover them. Would this be a good Idea? i was thinking it might tell them what there for.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Both the covering the nests, and the golf balls when uncovered, sound good to me. Sure glad everyone is settled in and happy now. I think anytime from 16 weeks on, an egg could come at any time. Keep us posted.

 

[KrisRose]

I agree with judy. Cover the nesting boxes and use golfballs to encourage them to start laying in the nests. You could just cover at night and than remove early in the morning.
Glad to hear you now have peace in your coop. I have the same problem with my younger chicks, two are Buff Orp's and the older ones seam to pick on them the most. Now that the older ones are laying they are acting more like mature hens and not stalking the babies for fun.