Bullying

[MiniDriver]

Our three girls are a year old. They've always gotten along well. Caramel is the big dominant one. Dora is the explorer, but submissive to Caramel. AB is Always Behind - she goes her own way and it always the last one.

In the last few days, Caramel has started bullying AB. She pecks at her, drives her away from the roost, food and water. Caramel grabs AB's neck and jumps on top of her - does she think she's a roo? Or is this just asserting dominance?

Right now Caramel and Dora are out in the yard, and AB is in the coop with a chance to eat and drink unmolested.

Yesterday AB had a bit of blood on her nose, but it seems to be healing. I don't want to get over-involved in pecking order stuff, but I also don't want AB to get hurt or to be deprived of food and water.

Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[peakpoultry]

I have a hen that got picked on all the time. I ended up putting her in a seperate cage by herself. I feel sorry for her but if I left her in there with the others they would kill her. I let her out to free run when I'm outside and can watch her. I have had a couple others that have been picked on, and they ended up killing those 2 hens. I don't know why it happens. Hopefully someone can give you some better answers or idea's. Good luck.

 

[MiniDriver]

Hmm, it seems isolation might be the right track. I kinda want to isolate the bully, 'cause AB didn't do anything wrong. What do you think?

 

[peakpoultry]

That would be good. I had to isolate the one they were picking on because I have so many that were picking on her. She's so sweet and If I didn't pull her out when I did they would have pecked her to death too! Maybe after isolation the bully will chill out and the one being bullied will have the advantage when you put the bully back in the coop.

 

[Judy]

Agree with isolating the bully. I have read on here that when you isolate one for several days, then return them, they drop to the bottom of the pecking order.

Too bad that doesn't work on people.

 

[peakpoultry]

Quote:
LOL. Yeah to bad!

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I had a "bully", now just "cranky". I isolated her for two weeks. Then turned her loose in the yard with food and water but outside of the run. She tried so hard to get back in the run with the others. After a few days of that, I would put her back in the run where she would snuggle with the others for a few hours. When she would start getting aggressive again, I'd throw her out.

She has been inside with the other five for two weeks now. She is still more aggressive than the others but they are standing up to her. I hope it lasts!

It is worth a try for you. I know how sad it is to see a sweet one picked on.