Constant Picking On 1 Hen

[Bigfishbobby]

We have the sweetest Wellsummer that the others just insist on picking on her. They keep tearing out her feathers near her tail and just generally being d-bags to her. She is constantly off by herself. How do we change this behavior? We have tried chicken jail and it just doesn’t work. We are almost ready to put blinders on them but hate doing it.

 

[FernwoodHollow]

We have the sweetest Wellsummer that the others just insist on picking on her. They keep tearing out her feathers near her tail and just generally being d-bags to her. She is constantly off by herself. How do we change this behavior? We have tried chicken jail and it just doesn’t work. We are almost ready to put blinders on them but hate doing it.

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How many is it versus her? is it a flock of 10 and all 9 are picking on her or are there one or two bullies etc? That would probably effect the advice I would give

 

[Bigfishbobby]

Flock is 9+1 rooster. It seems like the real bullies are maybe 3-4. Because we have a mixed flock, and ended up with a silkie rooster, I believe we have a situation of a hen thinking she is the rooster. She is the ringleader, but her and a couple isa browns are mean to her.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think I understand people reluctance to putting on blinders. But I don’t think the victim would agree with them.

Sometimes a reset will work, but it is not 100%, as you found out.

IMO blinders or removing birds, some birds just don’t work in a flock as adults. Being raised together has little effect.

Do take a look at your run, how is it set up? Clutter can help. But once they find a victim, it generally doesn’t change.

I would let the victim go or get the blinders. If you do cull, and peace is found, that might be a better number for your flock in that set up.