Bullying??

[KatAnn]

My Dominique rooster seems to pick on one of my hens. They were bumping chest to chest and then he pecked her in the face. She looks just like my other BO could she be a he? Or is this just bullying and she is the bottom of the pecking order?

 

[keesmom]

How old are these birds? Can you post a picture of them?

 

[reddogmaster2]

Bullying is a term that came into vogue in the late 1990's and has hung on for too many years.

Animals are animals. Accept it.

 

[birdlover2]

Either way, they're just sorting out the pecking order. If this isn't a reoccuring thing then she's learned her place in the pecking order and they'll be fine. If they start fighting full scale and drawing blood then you have a problem on your hands. Even if they fight it might be good for them to establish dominance, only if blood occurs seperate. I've seen hens peck eachother on the head and peck eachothers eyes, it doesn't neccesarily mean gender and isn't that big of a deal. If this is one incident, it doesn't meat the standard of bullying either, which is a recurring problem and can really only occur in people in my opinion.

 

[KatAnn]

They are 14 weeks old I can upload pics tomorrow. This is a reoccurring issue reason why I posted. I know and completely understand that they are animals and this is common but seems like she is always being picked on. I appreciate everyone's response. Thank you all for your help

 

[birdlover2]

They are 14 weeks old I can upload pics tomorrow. This is a reoccurring issue reason why I posted. I know and completely understand that they are animals and this is common but seems like she is always being picked on. I appreciate everyone's response. Thank you all for your help

Thanks for your reply Pics might help us determine if she's actually a he. If this is a recurring problem and he only picks on her you'll have to do something about it probably. It could be he's trying to mate. Does he grab her neck feathers or just peck at her face? Is he mating with the others now? You may want to wait a couple weeks to see if they settle down if he's just trying to mate, they do figure it out eventually!

 

[aart]

They are 14 weeks old I can upload pics tomorrow. This is a reoccurring issue reason why I posted. I know and completely understand that they are animals and this is common but seems like she is always being picked on. I appreciate everyone's response. Thank you all for your help

Pics would be good...and how many birds total?
Also, how big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics of that too would help.

 

[KatAnn]

Pics would be good...and how many birds total?
Also, how big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics of that too would help.

We have 7 chickens all together. I'm pretty sure all but the Dom are hens. Not the best pics that I could get some here are some. Coop is 4x4 run is 350 square feet in and L shape.

 

[aart]

Could be cockerel is starting to feel his oats.
Sounds like pecking order stuff.
They could just be crabby because of the heat.

 

[Acre4Me]

Agree with @aart - maybe heat is exacerbating their behavior. The are self-limiting their space outside to the shade, so their space used for several hours of the day is small. If possible, prop a sheet of OSB (or large scraps) or similar material (including shade cloth) against the fence that is getting the most sun. This will shade and cool that area for them and will enlarge the area they are using. Shade cloth is great -lots of shade and Great ventilation and looks better than random wood scraps!