Chicken behaving badly - I am so over it

[Livia Ammon]

This makes me scared for my future! My chickens have all been good, except for a little egg eating that led to a couple dinners, and a couple of wild-y cockerels that also became dinners, a rooster that became a dinner…


… I see your point

 

[Altairsky]

The problem is not the chickens but how humans see chickens. People tend to see a bunch of chickens as a bunch of pets.
But they fail to understand that they have one pet only, and it's the flock as a whole.
Chickens are like cells of a bigger organism that it's the flock. When a cell became cancer, one might try to cure it but if all cures fails, than there's surgery and removal of the element that makes the whole body, aka the flock, sick.
Owning a flock of chickens also means to be aware that sometimes, someone needs to go for the health of the whole flock, and the health of the owner.
Especially when someone decides to accept a rehomed chicken, it often means they're getting someone else's "cancer". If it can't be cured, then it has to go. Often people create their own problems by not understanding the importance of keeping harmony in a flock as a whole, focusing instead on the single chickens.

My advice to have a relaxed, and relaxing, flock:

1 - Remove problematic chickens asap
This means culling, or rehoming them to someone who has a rooster. Often all a bully hen needs is a rooster that shows her manners.

2 - Chose the breeds wisely
Don't mix aggressive breeds with peaceful breeds. High production breeds tend to be nervous so avoid them. Start with calm, heritage breeds. Usually, fluffy breeds like cochin, orpington, faverolles, silkies, etc. are calm breeds.

3 - Plenty of space.
Free ranging fixes most bullying problems. If you can't free range, then focus on point 1 and 2

4 - Feed the flock animal protein once a week. If your birds are confined, no matter how much protein your commercial feed has, it can't replace all the bugs and worms that a chicken can find in a real pasture. Chickens need animal protein to be happy and calm their prehistoric need for blood. Raw minced beef, beef organ meat, cottage cheese, scrambled egg, fish, all is good for letting your chicken have some real protein.

5 - Good roosters fix nasty hens.
But bad roosters ruin everything. It's a possibility if you are allowed to have a rooster. But many roosters might became dinner before you find the perfect one. Perfect rooster though... they are a real blessing when they happen.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Some words of wisdom there, methinks.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

I didn’t see anyone suggest cluttering up the run yet - adding old tables, pallets etc. to break line of sight and make hiding spaces.

 

[SkyAJK]

Update:
This week, I noticed my big hen Apple is much more peaceful, quieter, and have not behaving like a rooster - mating others....

I had her outside in the garden alone and then we had lots of rain for a week so I have to put her back with the flock. In this flock I also have an oldest hen there - she is 4.

I don't know what or how, but my troublesome hen Apple has been so mellow, quietly, hanging out with everyone and my older hen Big Mouth is busy telling other hens off via pecking and everyone seem to follow her, they all sit near her quietly.

This sudden changed, I am guessing my older hen, Big Mouth has assumed the position of the leader in absent of a rooster and told the bully Apple to behave....of course this is my guess only.

I do not know how long Apple, the bully going to behave nicely, but I am graceful for it.

Note: My new leader is Big Mouth who is an Isa Brown.
Apple the bully is a Plymouth Rock, the biggest hen in my flock.

I pray this good change stays!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hope it lasts, Sky!

 

[SkyAJK]

Hope it lasts, Sky!

Lot of praying......and hope for the best and do expect the worse.