Bullying

[Michaelamarie]

I have 3 hens that are bullies. My other newer hens run away from them and are fine but I have one who lays down instantly when she sees them coming and lets them peck her repeatedly. She doesn’t even try to get away. I put a saddle on her today because her back feathers are gone. Any advice? They all free range.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

You need to figure out who your boss hen is and separate her from the flock for a few days. It will knock her down in the pecking order. How long an introduction period did you give them?

 

[Michaelamarie]

You need to figure out who your boss hen is and separate her from the flock for a few days. It will knock her down in the pecking order. How long an introduction period did you give them?

she is one of 3 chicks my other hen hatched and raised with the flock. They’ve always all been together. I have 2 bosses they are act identical. Should I separate them? And how?

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

I know my advice may not work for your dynamic, don't know, but at times it's easiest to rehome the bully. Or the bully starter. We had three Buff Orpingtons who started bullying our others- ones they were raised with and as soon as I removed them to a wire dog crate outside the run, an instant calm settled over the flock.

But to separate, I'd say a wire dog crate or something similar,but I've read you don't want them near or to see the flock if you are wanting to reset hierarchy.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Are they younger ones laying yet?

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Check out this thread and super interesting suggestion from Azygous (I consider to be a top chicken expert,) regarding Tryptophan. When I read it, I thought I'd for sure try this in the event I had a bully issue. I would indeed separate the poor dear with missing feathers as that is about to turn bloody. She needs to recover. I also agree with Azygous that I don't like peepers....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bully-hen.1628869/

 

[Michaelamarie]

Are they younger ones laying yet?

yes

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I have 3 hens that are bullies. My other newer hens run away from them and are fine but I have one who lays down instantly when she sees them coming and lets them peck her repeatedly. She doesn’t even try to get away. I put a saddle on her today because her back feathers are gone. Any advice? They all free range. View attachment 3931439

This is exactly what my Bielefelders do. They just lay down when attacked. One, two, sometimes three birds will get on top of the Bielefelder and dig in with their claws and brutalize her. I have physically pulled them off and it's tough, they want to hang on.

Did you ever come up with a solution?

 

[Mrs. K]

One can try this or that - but really this behavior will drastically decrease your enjoyment of the flock. Hideouts are good, pin less peepers have worked wonders, and other ideas.

But the truth of the matter is sometimes you get a bird that just does not fit with this flock. Being raised together, really does not have much influence on adult behavior.

If you pull the bully, in a dog crate does the behavior stop, and the victim bird is accepted by the others? Sell the bully. But sometimes one can almost blame the victim. Sometimes pulling her out will restore peace to the flock. Generally it doesn't matter, just get rid of one of the birds. An aggressive bird will often fit better in someone else's flock.

Always solve for peace in the flock. And a funny thing is, is when there is a lot of this kind of turmoil, it upsets the birds that are not being attacked too.

Mrs K

 

[The Good Grumble]

I have 3 hens that are bullies. My other newer hens run away from them and are fine but I have one who lays down instantly when she sees them coming and lets them peck her repeatedly. She doesn’t even try to get away. I put a saddle on her today because her back feathers are gone. Any advice? They all free range. View attachment 3931439

Probably an unpopular opinion, but I have zero issues with bullying having a rooster. I know they aren’t allowed everywhere but my head hens would crow, and they weren’t much less noisier than a boy.

I ended up with an accidental roo, and my flock is so peaceful. Plus all the other things, like he herds them, alerts to predators etc. he’s a pretty good boy. So there’s that.