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Bully hen??

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by savingpurple, Jun 28, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jun 28, 2011 #1
    savingpurple

    savingpurple Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 2, 2011
    NW Ohio
    I have 2 white leghorns, both of which were badly injured as chicks, and well, I am a sucker for any animal, especially those that cannot help themsleves. One came home with me when the other 5 NHR's did, but due to her injuries, had to stay seperated until she healed. I had a piece of hardware cloth between them though, so they were in the same container, just seperated.

    The last one which is about 1 week younger, was tore up pretty bad, and she stayed at work until we ran out of stsock tanks, and she had to come home. I put her with the other injured white Lgehorn. They were buddies for almost 2 addtional weeks. I then opend them up to the NHR's and all seemed fine.

    Fly through the last few months...the youngest leghorn is really bossy, and down right mean. She will only sleep next to the other leghorn, and if any NHR gets near either of them she lands them a good hard peck in the face. It's like she is the other leghorns body guard.

    When it comes to treats, she refuses to let any other hen eat EXCEPT, you guessed it, the other leghorn. She pecks any hen that gets near the food until she is full. Then they can eat!

    Is this unusual "hen" behavior? She is just mean! I tried to lock her in the coop to let the others eat in peace the other day, but she was too quick, and she lasted longer than I did !! LOL

    Any ideas? My other leghorn seems quite nice and not so flighty as leghorns are typically described.
     
  3. Jun 28, 2011 #2
    chicmom

    chicmom Dances with Chickens

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    Feb 24, 2009
    Strasburg Ohio
    Hello! I'm also from Ohio! Welcome!

    Do you have a large cage you can put the bully in for about a week, sort of giving her a "time out"? Sometimes that will help.
    Sounds like she's at the top of the pecking order, and sometimes, isolating them puts them down a few notches.

    I personally don't tolerate excessive bullying from a hen. I had a hen that was pulling feathers and I gave her away. Craigslist is a great way to get rid of unwanted hens and roosters. If you list her for free, someone will call you right away. If you ask for a few dollars, then they don't usually call. But that's how I get rid of unwanted or mean chickens.

    Take care,
    Sharon
     
  5. Jun 28, 2011 #3
    savingpurple

    savingpurple Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 2, 2011
    NW Ohio
    Now when you say a cage, do you mean total isolation form the rest, or just in a cage alone, but with the others?

    Also, I worry about her outcome if a strange person took her. I don't want to see harm come to her. Maybe will try the cage idea first I guess.

    Thanks....[​IMG]
     

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