Bully hen

[slowalker]

I have 7 Bovan hens. almost a year old, laying well. One is an absolute bully, especially to 2 of the the gals. I have tried separating the 2 picked-on ones for a few weeks...same thing. Painted them with goop, the bully seems to relish it! Now I am separating the bully from the rest...permanently if need be. I won't use the beak appliances...too many bad stories....and I don't want to kill her......any other suggestions?

 

[JaeG]

I have 7 Bovan hens. almost a year old, laying well. One is an absolute bully, especially to 2 of the the gals. I have tried separating the 2 picked-on ones for a few weeks...same thing. Painted them with goop, the bully seems to relish it! Now I am separating the bully from the rest...permanently if need be. I won't use the beak appliances...too many bad stories....and I don't want to kill her......any other suggestions?

Can you cage her so that she's confined but still with the others? After a week I would try letting her out and see if she has changed her ways. Separating her off will make her lose top spot in the pecking order. The others still need to see her though as otherwise you will have to re-integrate her.