Changing up pecking order

[Vicky2479]

I have been reading alot about how to deal with bully hens as I am having problems after adding some new ones to my yard but most posts talk about dealing with 1 dominate hen and i am having problems with 2, my isa who is top hen and a SLW how has been moving up the ranks as others have died or left, am going to try the separation thing but was wondering if I do one at a time or can I remove both? And if I take out both do I need to separate them from each other?

 

[birdsforbrowns]

I'm interested to hear as well...I have seen some changes in my flock ranks and we are about to try hatching some of our eggs (we're in the south, I figure we still have time) as we recently lost a beloved hen. The babies, when feathered, will be the first "additions" to our small flock of currently 3 hens and a rooster. We'll only have room for two or three, and if one turns out to be a roo, we have a home already waiting for him with our aunt. But I worry about the babies and how my girls will treat them.

 

[Vicky2479]

Are you using a one of your hens to hatch them or an incubator?

 

[birdsforbrowns]

I'm going to borrow a friend's incubator. My hens aren't broody at all! BUT, just cracked a couple to make waffles and neither were fertilized, so my Roo's fertilization rate may be low. He's working hard at it but may be missing the mark.... I've seen a few that were, so I'm hoping for a 50% hatch rate.