Bullying

[Lefthorn]

So I have had two barred rock hens for a while. I recently (been a month or so) introduced 4 reds into the flock. One of the rocks terrorizes the reds. The other one could care less. Should I separate the mean old lady? Is this normal? Will it stop on its own?

the reds are a little less than half the size of the rocks now

 

[slordaz]

I would put her in chicken jail, with them in the coop for a a day or 2 and then let her out and see if she continues with just food and water, a wired cage or kennel works. If that doesn't put her in a pen Away from them for about a week, and try reintroducing her, if that fails, then I would consider re-homing her.

Where they properly introduced or just moved in?

 

[sorce]

We talk about managing our flock, I think we should realize the real possibility that they'll manage themselves too.

Survival of the fittest is real in the Animal Kingdom.

Maybe they have a disease and your chicken is trying to kill them, or keep them away for good reason.

"Bullying" is a human thing.
Well...
We are animals too.

Sorce

 

[Lefthorn]

Yes, they were introduced properly. They were divided where they could see each other for two weeks. Then let out in the yard a couple times and eventually I let them out in the yard and then removed the barrier

 

[slordaz]

Would go with chicken jail then to know the mean one down a peg or 2 as the other one isn't causing issues

 

[FortCluck]

I wouldn't remove anyone and let them sort it out. I have learned that messing with the order is not always a good thing, usually chickens will sort it out themselves. I assume the one thats being dominant is the top hen and I wouldn't remove her because she is establishing the pecking order of her flock. The other one doesn't care because it's not the top hen.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old are the Reds? If they are half the size of the BR they are either bantams or pretty young. That is two different situations.

How big are your facilities in feet. The coop and the run if you have a run.

It is normal for mature hens to pick on immature chicks when their personal space is violated. Really normal. If they have enough room the young ones typically learn to avoid the adults pretty quickly. If they don't have enough room they can't get out of her personal space so it becomes dangerous. So what are you working with, age of the chickens and how much room do they have?

 

[FortCluck]

How old are the Reds? If they are half the size of the BR they are either bantams or pretty young. That is two different situations.

How big are your facilities in feet. The coop and the run if you have a run.

It is normal for mature hens to pick on immature chicks when their personal space is violated. Really normal. If they have enough room the young ones typically learn to avoid the adults pretty quickly. If they don't have enough room they can't get out of her personal space so it becomes dangerous. So what are you working with, age of the chickens and how much room do they have?

 

[Lefthorn]

The reds are young. As far as feet of run, there is plenty of space. There are almost two sections to the run. The rocks usually stay in the front half and the reds will stay in the back. The mean hen will walk back toward the back and run them out and she has grabbed one up by the neck a few times. The reds run but she will corner one and attack it a bit. They have been together for about a month, so pecking order should be established I would think

 

[aart]

The reds are young.

How old in weeks?

As far as feet of run, there is plenty of space.

"Plenty" is not a number that we can help with.
Get out your tape measure and camera
Dimensions and pics we can help with.

These things might help too:
The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.