Bullying

[saysfaa]

It still doesn't make sense to me since I only have 6. I have 3 roosts and they choose only 1. I had 4 roosts but took one out to space them out more. There is plenty of room for them to spread out at night, if they wanted. And, plenty of room in the runs.

Are they using the middle roost? How far from the walls are the other two?

Often, coops like yours have four 3' roosts across the short dimension of the coop. Mathematically, that gives 12' of roost space but it doesn't allow for clearance. They need roughly 12" for their back ends on one side and for their front ends on the other. That is another rule of thumb, so it holds true most of the time. Large breeds may need more. Individuals may not mind squishing or may tolerate it if it is enough better than alternatives. (half of my flock tolerated much less clearance to use to beam at the top of the wall in order to roost so much higher).

 

[DawnLee]

Thanks. Hope the Pinless Peepers work out. I am thinking I may have to try them too.

 

[DawnLee]

Are they using the middle roost? How far from the walls are the other two?

Often, coops like yours have four 3' roosts across the short dimension of the coop. Mathematically, that gives 12' of roost space but it doesn't allow for clearance. They need roughly 12" for their back ends on one side and for their front ends on the other. That is another rule of thumb, so it holds true most of the time. Large breeds may need more. Individuals may not mind squishing or may tolerate it if it is enough better than alternatives. (half of my flock tolerated much less clearance to use to beam at the top of the wall in order to roost so much higher).

Are they using the middle roost? How far from the walls are the other two?

Often, coops like yours have four 3' roosts across the short dimension of the coop. Mathematically, that gives 12' of roost space but it doesn't allow for clearance. They need roughly 12" for their back ends on one side and for their front ends on the other. That is another rule of thumb, so it holds true most of the time. Large breeds may need more. Individuals may not mind squishing or may tolerate it if it is enough better than alternatives. (half of my flock tolerated much less clearance to use to beam at the top of the wall in order to roost so much higher).

The coop did have 4 roosts. I took one out and spaced them out. The back one is 12" out from the back wall. The next one is 16", and another 16" between that one. The one in the front is 14" away from the front wall. I have an EE, in my profile pic, who likes to squeeze underneath the others on the roost. There is room for them to use the other roosts but they choose not to. They only used the coop at night and to lay. Their runs are covered. I have also placed a dog travel crate in the run so they don't even need to use the coop to lay. It has been so hot, Texas, that I wanted to give them another option to lay where it is not quite as hot.

 

[Pghelp]

Thanks. Hope the Pinless Peepers work out. I am thinking I may have to try them too.

Today was the day. My son did the deed while I held the two bullies one by one. They didn’t like it but the level of peace was evident immediately. Today was the first time I walked away from the run with all of them out there together including my 2 month old brood. No bloodshed and the bullies are rather subdued. I’m going to leave the pinless peepers in for two weeks and then remove them to see if we’ve managed to disrupt the bad behavior. I don’t like them but if the choice is rehoming or culling my meanies I’ll take the peepers!

 

[Tonyroo]

I personally would cull the bully hen if it was a persistent attack. I got no time babying an injured bird from another bird attack. It always ends with a peaceful flock.

 

[Pghelp]

I personally would cull the bully hen if it was a persistent attack. I got no time babying an injured bird from another bird attack. It always ends with a peaceful flock.

That’s a last resort for me. The two bullies are also two of my best layers. One of the hens being attacked is an old girl who maybe manages one egg a month. She’s just living out her life with the flock. So for me it’s counter-productive to get rid of two hens who produce excellent eggs almost daily. Plus the beginning of the disruption was the death of one of my best hens. That has thrown everything out of whack. I’m hoping if I can interrupt the bad behavior everyone will settle back down and be nice again. It used to be a peaceful pleasant flock.

 

[tripletfeb]

I too have had my share of bully hens. Never again will I get black sex links or brahmas. I had to cull the two black sex links even though they laid everyday. I tried the pinless peepers on the brahma and it seems to help a little. I actually have pinless peepers on two hens, they were attacking the third. They have been wearing them for over a year now. Then I got three more hens and expanded my run. Had issues at first but they all seem to get along now. I also have multiple feeders and waterers so everyone can access them. Good luck and remember, solve for peace of the flock, whatever that means to you

 

[Pghelp]

I too have had my share of bully hens. Never again will I get black sex links or brahmas. I had to cull the two black sex links even though they laid everyday. I tried the pinless peepers on the brahma and it seems to help a little. I actually have pinless peepers on two hens, they were attacking the third. They have been wearing them for over a year now. Then I got three more hens and expanded my run. Had issues at first but they all seem to get along now. I also have multiple feeders and waterers so everyone can access them. Good luck and remember, solve for peace of the flock, whatever that means to you

Chickens are so different even if the same breed! My black star sex-linked is a big wuss and afraid of everything. My two bullies are a Sapphire Gem and an Arauacana. The Arauacana was a huge surprise because I’ve had several Easter Egger mixed and they have all been sweet tempered — until now!

 

[DawnLee]

Today was the day. My son did the deed while I held the two bullies one by one. They didn’t like it but the level of peace was evident immediately. Today was the first time I walked away from the run with all of them out there together including my 2 month old brood. No bloodshed and the bullies are rather subdued. I’m going to leave the pinless peepers in for two weeks and then remove them to see if we’ve managed to disrupt the bad behavior. I don’t like them but if the choice is rehoming or culling my meanies I’ll take the peepers!

Where did you buy them? I am spent trying to keep the peace. I have bullies bullying and bullies being bullied. I am at my wits end!

 

[Pghelp]

Where did you buy them? I am spent trying to keep the peace. I have bullies bullying and bullies being bullied. I am at my wits end!

I’m one of those people who refuse to use Amazon and they sell mass quantities when you only need a few. I ordered from McMurray Hatchery. You have to order the pliers too. My son watched YouTube videos to see how to apply them. Kind of stinks that they come with no instructions.

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/pinless_peepers.html