Bully Hen

[Amiloo928]

i have a hen who is bullying my two 7 week old chicks. She is not the alpha, and also not the lowest on the ladder, but she won’t let the babies eat. She guards the food dispenser and attacks them if the go near it. I added a second feeder, and she has taken to guarding both. The chicks have become good foragers, and their size seems to be increasing well enough, though the boy’s feathers seem to have stopped coming in about two weeks ago. The only time they get to eat is when I go out and call to my hens (they all come running when I do), or offer treats and the babies make a B-line for the food dispenser. As soon as my attention, or the treats, are gone, Louise charges the chicks at the food and attacks them.

I’m frustrated and on the verge of sending her to freezer camp if I can’t break her of this behavior. Any suggestions on how to stop her from bullying my chicks without losing a good layer? I have 2 week old chicks that are close to being moved out to the main enclosure and I don’t want them being picked on as well.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Move your second feeder farther apart and add visual barriers.

Pinless peepers. Or short term time out in sight of the rest of the flock.

Sounds pretty normal to me.

Another thing I do is put a feeder inside a small chicken wire fence with opening ONLY big enough for the little. I have a huge flock and the bigs ALWAYS want the little's resources... even their coop!

ETA: I would sell off a good layer before sending them to camp. They sell for $20-30 depending on age.

 

[Amiloo928]

Move your second feeder farther apart and add visual barriers.

Pinless peepers. Or short term time out in sight of the rest of the flock.

Sounds pretty normal to me.

Another thing I do is put a feeder inside a small chicken wire fence with opening ONLY big enough for the little. I have a huge flock and the bigs ALWAYS want the little's resources... even their coop!

ETA: I would sell off a good layer before sending them to camp. They sell for $20-30 depending on age.

The layer is a 1.5 year old Black sex-link. I’m not sure how much she’d be worth as I’ve heard they will only lay consistently for 3ish years. She is a good layer now though, laying 5-6 eggs/week. I have the two feeders separated on opposite sides of the enclosure, but I will see if I can separate them visually as well. Usually she just follows them from one to the other, so I will see what resources in can scrounge up to make access to one of the feeders small enough that only the chicks fit.

Thank you for the feedback and ideas!

 

[Dharmachick]

Can you wire off part of the enclosure for the chicks until they get larger? I have my six week olds in their own coop and pen.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x Dharmachick, section of a part for the chicks to remain part of the flock or put them in a wire cage with their own food/water & remain in the coop. Or put the bully in a large enough wire cage in the coop.

I wouldn't visually separate them, just physically ... See but no touch.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I wouldn't visually separate them, just physically ... See but no touch.

This refers to putting something like a chair, piece of wood, hay stack or anything you can come up with that will visually block the other feeder meaning she can't constantly see them both.

Honestly if she is just chasing them around and not making too much contact I wouldn't worry too much. They learn quickly how to avoid her. Like you said they are foraging better. Sometimes I might take them aside for an extra feeding... like right before roost offering a chance to top off with out being harassed.

And in my stag pen... I have clear wire fence open at both ends offering some separation and protection but still open to the whole thing with no corners to get trapped in. It works wonders.

But please know... I have rehomed (and would send to camp) ANY chick bully that goes beyond standard dynamics, meaning relentless. So I am NOT opposed to it as an option.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have the two feeders separated on opposite sides of the enclosure,

How big is your enclosure?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Another good suggestion... hanging a treat like broccoli or head of lettuce JUST out of reach.. so the bigs have to jump for it, giving them both mental and physical enrichment or way to get out some of their energy.

Mind of I ask what you are feeding?

 

[aart]

I have 2 week old chicks that are close to being moved out to the main enclosure and I don’t want them being picked on as well.

You need to section off part of the coop to integrate these chicks.
Here how I do it......but there are many ways to make the 'tiny doors'.....lattice can work well, or a wire dig crate with a cardboard over door opening with holes cut to chick size.

 

[Amiloo928]

How big is your enclosure?

The enclosure is roughly 30’x30’ total, with two coops, a larger one for the layers, and a smaller one that the chicks are currently using. I put a feeder in the smaller coop, and restricted the door size so that only the chicks can get in for now. It seems to be working. The little boys feathers have come in almost completely this week, which is a huge improvement as last week he was still almost completely fuzz aside from his wing tips. Perhaps it’s coincidental timing, but I’m taking it as a sign he’s getting more nutrition as a result of the feeding arrangement.