Bullying

[Zwillingsmama]

I have 5 chicken, my run is L shaped and about 400 sqft big, the coop is 80sqft. They are all healthy and I can't think of any stress factors. Having said that my OE gets bullied by my SS and my BCM. OE was always on the bottom of the pecking order but things got bad a few months back when OE got sick with an impacted crop. I kept her with the others but in a wire crate for about a week until the crop issue dissolved. Ever since they peck on her viciously. I bought pinless peepers for the offenders and that mitigated the persuing and following her but she still gets pinned down and pecked at. I bought the saddle apron, to protect her, but they still peck at her wing tips and neck now. I bought the pick no more solution and they still peck on her. I don't know what else to do. OE does not seem to be in distress but I worry that evt. they will break the skin now that the feathers are gone.....Any ideas what else I can do?

 

[Chicka_deee]

I don’t know anything about this, have seen it a lot though...

@Texas Kiki ?? Maybe?

@Eggcessive ?? Maybe?

 

[Eggcessive]

You may want to try some pine tar on her skin, and it is found in the horse supplies at feed stores. Pecking order problems can be a pain and even deadly after one has been sick and separated. I have one like that who even gets attacked by the 2 bantam hens, after having some problems. It seems that once they act sick or exhibit any unusual symptoms, other chickens will attack them. If one is a bully, you can try separating that one for awhile.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You definitely have a good amount of room for them. Is there anything in the run to keep them occupied or is it just a big empty space?

 

[Zwillingsmama]

i have 3 roosting areas in different spots of the coop, a dust bathing area and a big leafy plant they don't eat and can hide in. than they get once or twice a day treats to search/scratch for.
The 2 offenders will attack her too if they are free roaming in the yard and she gets too close to them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since you have the room for it, add more "junk" to the run - anything from stumps and old planter they can jump on, old patio furniture, wood ladders or sawhorses, kids play equipment, pallets with nails removed/covered. Basically you're giving them something extra to explore but also somewhere for the picked on hen to hide under/behind if she wants to use it. Adding some bales of hay or piles of dried leaves or grass will give them something to dig through, so could help as a distraction as well.

 

[Zwillingsmama]

I will add stuff to the run - would removing the 2 offenders for a while work? I am in the process of building a new coop/run on the other side of my yard - one finished I could hold off with dismantling the old coop and separate them for a week or two and than reintroduce them to the 3 others

 

[rosemarythyme]

I will add stuff to the run - would removing the 2 offenders for a while work? I am in the process of building a new coop/run on the other side of my yard - one finished I could hold off with dismantling the old coop and separate them for a week or two and than reintroduce them to the 3 others

Removing the bullies would at least shake up the pecking order, even if temporarily. Even putting them all in a new coop/run could be enough to jar them out of picking on her.

I would try one thing at a time (adding junk let's say) and seeing what effect it has, then go from there based on the results. Best case scenario just a few changes to the run will be enough of a distraction, but at least you have other options to try if that isn't enough.

 

[cheekychick3]

Hi, Like you we had, a similiar problem, one of my girls, was ill, so brought her in the house, it was about 2 weeks she was inside with us, in a large dog crate. When she
was better, we was careful in placing her back, with the rest. Then the bullying began,
it got real bad, we racked our brains, thinking what to do, as we could see she was
happy to be back with her flock. In the beginning it was only a few who would bully her.
Especially when they had their feed. Then they all started joining in until it was cruel to watch. We would never leave her alone with them, though. I use to be there for ages
keeping my eye out, she was safe. We even thought of looking for another home, for
her. But when she was ill, and recovered, i had a special bond with her, and could not part with her. I use to rack my brain, thinking how can we sort it. Like you, we have a large
run, plenty of space. So thought of buying a small pen for inside. Started looking online
and came across this. lol Which i have copied for you. Bought it and could not believe
this worked. lol For starters it is a bunny playpen. lol Plus, it came with a free sunshade.
So bought it, fixed it inside the run, with her food + water. My husband build our coops
we have one on the top, and one underneath. But they are huge. So we blocked a part
of the downstairs, pen, with a strong wire partition. So they could still see one another.
Then in the days, she was safe inside the playpen, but they could all mingle with each other. We done this for about 6 weeks, then this one day, i decided to let her out, to
be altogether. It was crazy, as we were waiting for the bullying to start, but not one of
them bothered. It solved our problem, i live in UK, and bought it off Amazon, but i am
sure where you live, you will find one, online. They are not expensive, it is pretty strong.
But also where it clips on to each panel, was flimsy. So we used cable ties, to secure it together, same we done with the sunshade as well. Thought i would let you know, as
anything is worth a try. Oh, you can also have the playpen, like in a square, as well, not
just round. Also you can buy more panels to add onto it. It is very handy to have, and
keep for certain issues. Also we used strong tent pegs to pin it secure to the ground.
See what you think, oh and keep scrolling to the bottom, as then you will see it. lol






































Other Sellers on Amazon
Add to Basket
£22.99
+ FREE delivery
Sold by: Bunny Business
4 used & new from £22.31
Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 

[cheekychick3]

When i copied it for you to see, i thought it was directly underneath, what i had written,
so sorry about that, lol.