Bullying Hen to our Bantam

[KansasChickensDucks]

Hi All! We’ve had two bantams for over 2 years and they were raised with our 5 pullets since summer. They have a huge enclosure, two separate sleeping quarters, lots of toys and treats. One of the hen is bullying the bantam, chasing her. Any ideas...I’ve put scratch grain for them to dig around and find, meal worms, hanging cauliflower and toys to keep them entertained. Im hoping this is just a phase b/c the bantam can’t just stay in her house all day! Thank you!

 

[azygous]

Your bully sounds like my BO Edith. Edith enjoys the sport of bullying just about any juvenile in the flock. Her current targets are my ten-month old sex-links at roosting time. She loves to stand ready to chase and peck at their legs as they are trying to find their spots on the perch.

Sometimes I get fed up with her and I show her the fly swatter I have hanging conveniently inside the coop. She immediately stops tormenting the youngsters and runs out, giving them time to settle in before she returns.

All it takes is a smart bop on the butt with the swatter and any chicken will take notice next time you hold the swatter up. If you do it often enough, it can alter behavior when you do it in conjunction with the behavior.

But this doesn't solve the problem of the size differences between bantams and standards. Some flocks tolerate these differences, but other flocks can make it very rough for the shrimps.

 

[KansasChickensDucks]

Your bully sounds like my BO Edith. Edith enjoys the sport of bullying just about any juvenile in the flock. Her current targets are my ten-month old sex-links at roosting time. She loves to stand ready to chase and peck at their legs as they are trying to find their spots on the perch.

Sometimes I get fed up with her and I show her the fly swatter I have hanging conveniently inside the coop. She immediately stops tormenting the youngsters and runs out, giving them time to settle in before she returns.

All it takes is a smart bop on the butt with the swatter and any chicken will take notice next time you hold the swatter up. If you do it often enough, it can alter behavior when you do it in conjunction with the behavior.

But this doesn't solve the problem of the size differences between bantams and standards. Some flocks tolerate these differences, but other flocks can make it very rough for the shrimps.

Thank you for responding! It’s only the one hen and she’s doing it to one bantam. I’ll try the swat method. Lol!! They were all fine just a couple days ago. Maybe she’s going through some hormonal change or something. Thanks so much!!