Bullying problem

[FeatherToes0328]

I have 3 hens that are 6 months old. 2 laying, 1 not. The one that has not started laying (Lizzo) is bullying the hen that was at first smaller than the other 2 (Little). Pushing her away from treats, water or pecking at her. Now if I give any attention to Little or FeatherToe, Lizzo immediately starts pecking at both of them. When I try to give Lizzo pets, she tries to rip my skin off with her beak! One evening this week I had to separate Lizzo from the other 2 for the night because she was trying to push them off the perch they all normally sleep on together. Little tries to hang back from the other 2 when I go to feed them, give treats or just talk to them, just to avoid getting pushed around by Lizzo. They are out in the yard foraging for most of the day. Do I separate Lizzo from the other 2 for a few days?

 

[Debbie292d]

Yep, that's what we'd do. Sometimes a week away resets the pecking order or makes them forget they were mean. I'd like to think it teaches them something but doubt it.

I think a few days or a week away from the others will set her straight.

 

[FeatherToes0328]

Yep, that's what we'd do. Sometimes a week away resets the pecking order or makes them forget they were mean. I'd like to think it teaches them something but doubt it.

I think a few days or a week away from the others will set her straight.

Thank you so much!

 

[FeatherToes0328]

I have 3 hens that are 6 months old. 2 laying, 1 not. The one that has not started laying (Lizzo) is bullying the hen that was at first smaller than the other 2 (Little). Pushing her away from treats, water or pecking at her. Now if I give any attention to Little or FeatherToe, Lizzo immediately starts pecking at both of them. When I try to give Lizzo pets, she tries to rip my skin off with her beak! One evening this week I had to separate Lizzo from the other 2 for the night because she was trying to push them off the perch they all normally sleep on together. Little tries to hang back from the other 2 when I go to feed them, give treats or just talk to them, just to avoid getting pushed around by Lizzo. They are out in the yard foraging for most of the day. Do I separate Lizzo from the other 2 for a few days?

I have 3 hens that are 6 months old. 2 laying, 1 not. The one that has not started laying (Lizzo) is bullying the hen that was at first smaller than the other 2 (Little). Pushing her away from treats, water or pecking at her. Now if I give any attention to Little or FeatherToe, Lizzo immediately starts pecking at both of them. When I try to give Lizzo pets, she tries to rip my skin off with her beak! One evening this week I had to separate Lizzo from the other 2 for the night because she was trying to push them off the perch they all normally sleep on together. Little tries to hang back from the other 2 when I go to feed them, give treats or just talk to them, just to avoid getting pushed around by Lizzo. They are out in the yard foraging for most of the day. Do I separate Lizzo from the other 2 for a few days?

Well now there's a new bullying issue 2 are trying to push the smallest one off the perch they share at night. Last night apparently Little tried to lay 2 TWO eggs on the flat surface of the roof next to the roof perch where they have all slept together since day 1. I will try to post a pic of the egg although I haven't had much luck last time. It looks to me to be a soft shelled egg which either collapsed when sat on or got pecked open. They all get the exact same amount of layer feed which is always available and a little treat of frozen fruit or veggies during the day while they are out roaming. I feel that little is stressed from constant bullying which affects her eggs health, but I could be wrong. So my plan is to set her up in the 3 nest layer box at night thru early morning with food and water so she can lay without feeling stressed. The other 2 chicks cannot get to her in there once I secure the doors but she has plenty of space to find a comfy spot to lay her eggs. If I'm wrong please straighten me out lol. It bothers me to see her bullied like this. Thank you all

 

[Slw]

I have 3 hens that are 6 months old. 2 laying, 1 not. The one that has not started laying (Lizzo) is bullying the hen that was at first smaller than the other 2 (Little). Pushing her away from treats, water or pecking at her. Now if I give any attention to Little or FeatherToe, Lizzo immediately starts pecking at both of them. When I try to give Lizzo pets, she tries to rip my skin off with her beak! One evening this week I had to separate Lizzo from the other 2 for the night because she was trying to push them off the perch they all normally sleep on together. Little tries to hang back from the other 2 when I go to feed them, give treats or just talk to them, just to avoid getting pushed around by Lizzo. They are out in the yard foraging for most of the day. Do I separate Lizzo from the other 2 for a few days?

Pinless peepers. I don’t like them but I apply them in extreme cases of bullying (and egg eaters), like what you described. It prevents the bully from landing a direct hit on the victim, but still allows her to eat. I also apply them to determined egg eaters. They pinless peepers are too big to allow her to reach her head into my roll out nests to get the eggs.