Bullying???

[lollydolly]

Hi, I had two silkies, both have a lovely temperament but they are not great egg layers... We decided to add to our mini flock and bought 2 amberlinks, both are lovely birds very quiet and they even squat down so my 3 year old can stroke them. We put the new birds in at night like we were advised, then to my suprise one of my silkies is being such a bully! I was worried about the silkies being bullied as they're a vulnerable breed but she is terrorising the new hens. It's not very nasty tho she's not drawing blood she just pecks at them if they are in her way.. They have all gone to bed and are all roosting together happily tonight though? Should I do anything or leave them to it? Is she just making sure they know she's too of the pecking order? Also should I free range them together or leave them in the coop for a couple of days? Thanks in advance

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Sounds like all is fine and quite normal, if no blood is being drawn with the pecking order being established there.

Silkies can be on top of the pecking order, quite surprisingly. I have seen it a few times. They also can be bullied. So it sounds quite lovely there for your silkie lead hen!!

 

[lollydolly]

Sounds like all is fine and quite normal, if no blood is being drawn with the pecking order being established there.

Silkies can be on top of the pecking order, quite surprisingly. I have seen it a few times. They also can be bullied. So it sounds quite lovely there for your silkie lead hen!!

Thanks so much for your reply, in a way I'm glad my silkie is showing them she's boss as I was worried about the silkies getting hurt as they are smaller and more vulnerable than the amber links. Do you know how long it usually takes for the pecking to settle down? I feel so sorry for the new birds but I know its best to let them get on with it.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote: They should be all settled in soon...I don't know how long to say. It depends on how determined both groups are to be top hen.

You are welcome!

 

[TundraRose]

Sometimes it helps to take the bully out for a few days. Knocks her down in the pecking order. But I think it would just prolong the fighting in the long run since you will have to then reintroduce her. As long as nobody is getting hurt I would leave them be.