Bullying from new feed?

[texaschick84]

Hello all...
First, let me give you the details on my flock. I have 1 americauna, 1 black australorp, 1 New Hampshire, 2 buff orpingtons, and 3 barred Plymouths. I have raised them all together since they were a day old. They are now 24 weeks old. 4 of them are laying. Their coop is 8x8x6 and their run is 8x10x4. They are able to free range at least 2 hours on weekdays and all day on the weekends.

Recently, I have switched their layer feed from purina organic layer crumbles (16% protein) to a local brand. We decided to save a little money and support a local feed business that makes their own. Problem is, I'm not sure about the protein percentage. I just assumed it would be the same.

The reason I'm bringing up the feed is that my hens behavior issues started around the time I switched feed (2 weeks ago). I spend a lot of time with my flock and I have never noticed any sort of bullying. Occasionally, they'd give each other a peck when they're bickering over treats. Nothing like what I'm seeing now.

My NH (Lucy) is the lowest on the pecking order and 2 of my Plymouths have it out for her. Neither of them are the top bird of the flock. One of them seems to growl when Lucy gets too close to her. So bad that if they walk into the coop, Lucy walks out. If she goes in to eat, they walk in just to make her leave. Lucy doesn't even try to get treats while the others are around. Before, she was accepted by them all and could eat treats with all of them. In fact there's evening issues with roosting at night. She used to roost next to one of the BO or the BA without any issues. Now, they peck at her if she doesn't go roost in a different corner by herself. That worries me for the colder weather to come. I've been hand feeding Lucy while they free range if the Plymouths are keeping her from the feeder. The others don't have a problem if she's at the feeder with them and the largest Plymouth doesn't have much of a problem with her either. They haven't started pulling her feathers out yet, but it's getting increasingly worse each day.

Is this normal? I'm obviously worried for my Lucy and more than willing to try to switch my feed back if that could be a possible cause. Any advice is welcome!

 

[azygous]

The feed switch may be merely coincidental to the change in behavior or it may be one factor.

Another factor is the age of the pullets. Hormonal changes can affect behavior. Also, seasonal changes can affect behavior.

The social order of a flock is always changing, as well. From time to time individuals challenge one another to move up in status. You will see pecking order skirmishes that typically are resolved quickly and everyone moves on.

Breed temperament and individual temperament affects behavior. For example, if you have a couple of individuals from a typically aggressive breed decide to focus on an individual of a less assertive breed, it can exacerbate a timid nature and turn that individual into a victim. This often isn't resolved quickly or easily and may require intervention.

It appears the main issue is with one hen being bullied. The way I've handled this problem is to give the victim a safe area within the run where she can eat and drink and relax in safety while still having the security of being within the flock.

This affords her a "vacation" to recover her self esteem and self confidence. After a couple days, you can let one of the less aggressive individuals in with her. They should form a bond and this further strengthens the victim's self confidence. If it doesn't work out, try another one until you hit on the right companion.

It may require around two or even three weeks for the victim to forget she's a victim. As you near the two-week mark, try letting her back with the flock for short periods. When she gets bullied, put her back in her refuge with her friend. She should reach a point where she will begin to stand up for herself, and then you can let her back with the flock full time.

This is only during the day. She should still roost at night with the others during this period, even if you need to run interference for her.

 

[junebuggena]

Barred Rocks, in general, tend to be very dominant birds that NEED their elbow room. The general guideline of 10 sq ft of run space per bird isn't quite enough for them. They like at least 12 to 15 sq ft or more to keep their domineering natures from becoming problematic. They are also very active and inquisitive and get bored easily. Boredom leads to trouble. This makes them really fun birds to have in a backyard flock, but also difficult to keep if space is limited.

 

[chickens really]

Hello,
Your Hens are maturing and yes, those Breeds require feed at 18% or behavioural problems can happen...I feed Grower with oyster shell in a separate dish....
Best wishes..

 

[texaschick84]

Thank you all so much for the advice.