Jenyenydot
In the Brooder
Hello chicken experts!
I did a few forum searches to see if I could find the answer to these questions, but was unsuccessful in figuring out the specific answer I need. I have four hens that are just shy of a year and a half old. They were sleeping in a coop that was too small to them for too long, however they have a new 8x4 coop, and have always free ranged in my backyard all day. The issue is one of my RIRs (Carlotta, #1 bird) relentlessly bullies my poor Easter Egger (Adelaide, #4 bird), chasing her away from food and treats, and poor Adelaide is so skittish and flighty now, and lives in perpetual fear. The other two will occasionally peck at her when Carlotta starts it, but don’t bother her unless they’re following Carlotta’s bullying lead. I also read about putting the victim in isolation so she’s safe and can regain confidence - should I do this step first, then after Adelaide has had time to calm down trade inmates and jail Carlotta while Adelaide reintegrates?
I want to try putting Carlotta in chicken jail to see if that resolves the issue. I now have their old, small coop that has about 2x6 feet of enclosed run space available to use as a jail. Is this large enough? Do I need to block sight, or is it better that she can see her sisters but not interact? And lastly, does she sleep there, or go back into the main coop at night? Are the answers to these questions different depending on whether the bully or the victim is the one in isolation?
thanks in advance for your thoughtful responses!
I did a few forum searches to see if I could find the answer to these questions, but was unsuccessful in figuring out the specific answer I need. I have four hens that are just shy of a year and a half old. They were sleeping in a coop that was too small to them for too long, however they have a new 8x4 coop, and have always free ranged in my backyard all day. The issue is one of my RIRs (Carlotta, #1 bird) relentlessly bullies my poor Easter Egger (Adelaide, #4 bird), chasing her away from food and treats, and poor Adelaide is so skittish and flighty now, and lives in perpetual fear. The other two will occasionally peck at her when Carlotta starts it, but don’t bother her unless they’re following Carlotta’s bullying lead. I also read about putting the victim in isolation so she’s safe and can regain confidence - should I do this step first, then after Adelaide has had time to calm down trade inmates and jail Carlotta while Adelaide reintegrates?
I want to try putting Carlotta in chicken jail to see if that resolves the issue. I now have their old, small coop that has about 2x6 feet of enclosed run space available to use as a jail. Is this large enough? Do I need to block sight, or is it better that she can see her sisters but not interact? And lastly, does she sleep there, or go back into the main coop at night? Are the answers to these questions different depending on whether the bully or the victim is the one in isolation?
thanks in advance for your thoughtful responses!
