Bully pullet, do I separate or not.

[bhawk-23]

I have an established flock of 9 that are fine together.

I added a flock of 5 pullets that were good together. I noticed them all coming out of the coop together with just the normal chasing from the 9 hens. They were all sticking together though and it was mostly peaceful.

In the last week or so I noticed 2 pullets that were outside together a lot, 2 pullets were staying inside the coop and roosting on a heated roost (it’s been cold so..) and 1 pullet who goes between just fine.

I finally kicked out the 2 inside the coop as I am getting worried. One outside pullet kept bully one of the inside pullets. I picked her up for a bit and put her back down. She did it again so I picked her up and then submitted her in front of the other. Let her up and she did it again. Repeat 2 more times and decided to separate the bully pullet overnight in a crate inside the coop.

She is still inside the crate. All the other, hens and pullets, are doing great today.

How do I proceed? I’ve not dealt with this yet and want to squash it out before it spreads to my otherwise coexisting peaceful () flocks.

As always, thank you!

 

[ManedWolf]

Are they hurting each other? How long have they all been together? This could just be normal behavior as they try to determine pecking order.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I have an established flock of 9 that are fine together.

I added a flock of 5 pullets that were good together. I noticed them all coming out of the coop together with just the normal chasing from the 9 hens. They were all sticking together though and it was mostly peaceful.

In the last week or so I noticed 2 pullets that were outside together a lot, 2 pullets were staying inside the coop and roosting on a heated roost (it’s been cold so..) and 1 pullet who goes between just fine.

I finally kicked out the 2 inside the coop as I am getting worried. One outside pullet kept bully one of the inside pullets. I picked her up for a bit and put her back down. She did it again so I picked her up and then submitted her in front of the other. Let her up and she did it again. Repeat 2 more times and decided to separate the bully pullet overnight in a crate inside the coop.

She is still inside the crate. All the other, hens and pullets, are doing great today.

How do I proceed? I’ve not dealt with this yet and want to squash it out before it spreads to my otherwise coexisting peaceful () flocks.

As always, thank you!

How long have them been together? And is there any chance one is a rooster? They may still be establishing pecking order. I had a hen who did this to the chickens that she was raised with since day 1. If she is hurting the other chickens seperate her in a crate by herself for a week make sure there is still food and water, after a week put her back in and see if it persists.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I am going through a similar situation, but my pullets are 8mo, and one of them is picking on #2 in the pecking order that is 2 1/2yrs. Since there has been no blood drawn or injuries, I've just let them work it out. Things have calmed down a bit between the 2 of them, but I still see occasional chasing

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I am going through a similar situation, but my pullets are 8mo, and one of them is picking on #2 in the pecking order that is 2 1/2yrs. Since there has been no blood drawn or injuries, I've just let them work it out. Things have calmed down a bit between the 2 of them, but I still see occasional chasing

My pullet i had, she was blood drawing i ended up getting rid of her because of it never stopping. Hopefully both you can keep peace in your flock.

 

[igorsMistress]

Sounds like they’re just establishing pecking order. Anytime you add or subtract the pecking order changes and you may see this type of behavior. As long as there’s no blood I wouldn’t intervene, it’s normal.

 

[bhawk-23]

Thank you everyone!

They have been together since day one.
They have all done well up until recently.
I would usually just assume it is normal pecking order.

I only intervened because the two were not leaving the coop and that was concerning. I saw a sore on one of the pullets legs that would be consistent with her weight on a 2X4 roost for an extended amount of time so I needed to establish if it was illness related or bullying that kept them inside. Today the 4 pullets are free ranging well together with the 5th one caged. I am still watching the one with the sore closely as she keeps taking breaks and laying down for a minute or two.

Should I allow the 4 to peacefully free range together for a full 24-48 hrs in hopes of the 2 establishing more confidence to leave the coop as a group again?

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Thank you everyone!

They have been together since day one.
They have all done well up until recently.
I would usually just assume it is normal pecking order.

I only intervened because the two were not leaving the coop and that was concerning. I saw a sore on one of the pullets legs that would be consistent with her weight on a 2X4 roost for an extended amount of time so I needed to establish if it was illness related or bullying that kept them inside. Today the 4 pullets are free ranging well together with the 5th one caged. I am still watching the one with the sore closely as she keeps taking breaks and laying down for a minute or two.

Should I allow the 4 to peacefully free range together for a full 24-48 hrs in hopes of the 2 establishing more confidence to leave the coop as a group again?

Sounds like you've got a pretty good feel for your flock! I think your plan sounds solid!

 

[McChooky]

After the pullets start laying they'll become fully integrated.The pecking order is a work in progress and doesn't happen over night.

 

[bhawk-23]

Sounds like you've got a pretty good feel for your flock! I think your plan sounds solid!

Thank you. Most of the time I feel like a huge failure since battling MD and MG. And that is also why I’m more cautious of odd behaviors. But I also have to be aware of not causing more harm than good. Maybe I’ll keep her in tonight and for the morning then let her out to find her flock and see if her behavior has changed some.
Thanks for all the input!