Bullying Pullet

[oceansunset73]

I have one Rhode Island Red 12 weeks old pullet, who constantly bullies all of my other chickens. They are all the same age and have all been raised together since they were only a few days old.

Since last week all she does, all day long is chase after them and yang their feathers out of their poor little behinds. No blood being drawn, but they are loosing a lot of feathers each time she comes at them. They are all terrified of her now. It's more than just a normal pecking order, she is completely obsessed with terrorizing them.

I have been reading that a time-out might do her some good? I got a dog crate last night, for her "chicken jail". However, I have been getting conflicting information. Some say to remove the bully completely for a few days, while others say to keep the cage in the run or coup so she can still be in sight. Which one is right?

Any other thoughts or suggestions? Please help! Thanks...

 

[keesmom]

First thing, are you sure she is a she?

How much space do they have? What are you feeding them?

If you do put her in jail keep her out of sight of the others. The point of the incarceration is to remove her from the pecking order in the hopes she will be knocked down a few pegs when she returns. It may or may not work.

 

[oceansunset73]

First thing, are you sure she is a she?

How much space do they have? What are you feeding them?

If you do put her in jail keep her out of sight of the others. The point of the incarceration is to remove her from the pecking order in the hopes she will be knocked down a few pegs when she returns. It may or may not work.

Yea I think it's a she, 12 weeks old and no waddles yet and barely a comb. She's actually the pullet in my picture which was taken a few weeks ago.

They are getting grower feed, I just changed it from chick starter 2 weeks ago or so. They have lots of room it's a huge run. It has been over 100 degrees for the past few weeks though, but I have been giving them ice cold water melon and putting ice in their water. None of my other chickens are behaving like her though.

 

[oceansunset73]

She has always been my problem child.

It took her the longest to try and figure out how to get up in the coup, and took her longer to figure out she needed to go in at sundown. And she had a hard time flying up to the roost at first; it took her a while. Slow learner. Now this. Bumped her head one two many times trying to get out of her shell? I don't know what's wrong with her...

 

[keesmom]

Try tossing her butt in jail and see if that improves her attitude. I do know hatchery RIR have a reputation for being mean but it's a breed I have never had.

 

[aart]

Bumped her head one two many times trying to get out of her shell?

I agree, toss her in jail for a week or two.

Some say to remove the bully completely for a few days, while others say to keep the cage in the run or coup so she can still be in sight. Which one is right?

Either could work. I'd try the 'in the coop first'. Sometimes locking them up for just a few days can break a bad habit.
Not sure how long you want to mess with it, I have a lot of time on my hands so I'd try a few days caged in the coop, let her out see what happens...still nasty, a week in the coop crate, let her out see what happens...still nasty, a week crated out of sight..etc, etc, etc.
Or I might put her on the grill by 16 weeks.

 

[oceansunset73]

Thank you for your responses and advice. I am going to try the jail for a few days. If her behavior doesn't improve, my husband has a friend he works with that owns a ranch and he said he will be more than happy to re-home her.