Bully hen! What to do?

[sondownchick]

I just put 3 new chicks now teenagers. With 3 adults and 1 o the adult hens is bullying all 3 of them! Anyone use those devices you put over the beak of the bully hen?

 

[gtaus]

Following this thread as next year I may have a similar problem if I get new chicks.

 

[LeggyLeghorn]

I would take them out and devise away to introduce them slowly. an auxiliary run/coop where the can see but not touch.

 

[brindlelove]

my guess its just pecking order just keep an eye on things

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photo of set up? Making adjustments in the coop and run would be what I'd try first. I would use the pinless peepers as last resort.

 

[Chickenlover0810]

I would take the teens out and gradually introduce them back into the coop. we have a fold-able fence that we set up in our coop, we put the teens in then left them for a day in the cage in the coop, then at night take them into some shelter. Try this for a couple days and then once they start to get used to each other let them in the coop, but for small intervals at a time and keep and eye on them. They will probably be pecked at a little but the older they get the braver!

 

[aart]

I just put 3 new chicks now teenagers. With 3 adults and 1 o the adult hens is bullying all 3 of them! Anyone use those devices you put over the beak of the bully hen?

Last resort.

First, think about these tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.