Can't isolate, do I cull?

[Schroeder]

I have a mixed flock of 11 pullets and 1 cockerel, 14-weeks old, in a 6x6 coop with attached 16x16 run. At about 5 weeks they started picking on the 2 golden campines. It seemed to subside once they had daily access to the run but they are at it again. Now they have plucked all the tail feathers from both.

The GC's seem to have more game hen in them. Their tails and general appearance are different from the others. Ultimately I think I should house no more than 7 hens. My question: Since it isn't practical for me to isolate them, or the roo who I suspect is doing most of the harm, should I cull them from my flock now? Will this just cause the next lowest on the pecking order to get bullied? I'd really like to keep one since they would be my only layers of pure white eggs, but I'm afraid the longer I let this go on, the more likely I'll have this problem with other hens.

 

[Xfranc]

I would remove the bully !

I know we did , we had an aggro Welsummer who pecked our pullets like mad , I removed her then calm was back in the coop.

hugs

Kat and Dan

 

[McGoo]

Whatever you do, don't 'guess' on who is bullying. Isolate one you suspect to be bullying and see. To isolate, just use a small dog crate or pen.

I would not cull anyone until you know all the facts and can, without doubt, know exact who is doing what to whom.

And, if you eliminate the pecked on birds, if their is a bully still in the flock - the problem with persist with others.

My vote is that a hen or hens are the bully's not the roo.

 

[Schroeder]

Quote:
Interesting...I never see them being plucked, so I suspect it is in their coop, maybe early morning. I'll have to figure out a way to identify the culprit.

 

[Schroeder]

Quote:
Okay, this might be a really dumb question. If I isolate in a dog crate, do I leave her inside the coop all the time, or do I need to move her in and out? I guess I'd need to provide her with food and water inside the dog crate, so that would make it very inconvenient to move a lot. I'm not sure how I'll know the isolated hen is the culprit until I see tail feathers growing back on the GC's. This could be a long isolation.

 

[McGoo]

Sorry for not responding earlier - been out of pocket.

I don't know your set-up, so it's hard to say where and how to isolate. I always try to keep them in close proximity and give them fresh air in the daytime.

As for figuring out which one is the culprit... try and catch one of them in the act if you can.

Maybe they are too confined? Or need to get out of the coop earlier?

Just some thoughts. Hope I helped.