Bullying in a pair

[RubyRed1]

Hello,

I currently have two hens, a hybrid and a silkie. They have been separated whilst getting used to each other, but were seeing each other all day. They’ve been free ranging together really well when supervised. We got a bigger run, and so we’ve put them in together. There’s no bullying throughout the morning/lunch time, but once it gets to around 3pm my hybrid is relentless with my poor silkie! She doesn’t leave her alone, and won’t let her do anything, e.g. have a dust bath. Why is it that she’s good all day, but later on just won’t leave her alone? Is there a reason why this is happening, or any way to go about it? Would getting another silkie be a good idea to stop it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[sourland]

How long have you been integrating them?

 

[RubyRed1]

How long have you been integrating them?

It’s been around 6 weeks now of seeing each other through their separate runs every day and free ranging with each other for around 4 weeks.

 

[Mrs. K]

Sometimes you can mix silkies and full size birds, and sometimes you can't. It would be better if you add another silkie, to do it so that the silkies are separated from the hybrid.

 

[RubyRed1]

Sometimes you can mix silkies and full size birds, and sometimes you can't. It would be better if you add another silkie, to do it so that the silkies are separated from the hybrid.

Thanks for this! We have ended up getting another silkie and things have settled down! There’s still a very clear pecking order, but it’s just the usual ‘get out of my way’. So happy it’s settled