Dealing with a bully???

[Cluckthorne]

Hi All,

I have a tiny little flock consisting of 2 beautiful birds (formerly 3, R.I.P. Buttercup) that live a very pampered lifestyle here in Minneapolis. They have a sweet insulated and heated coop with attached sand and boulder filled run with all the food and scratch and treats they want with daily coop cleanings and fresh water. They act like and are treated more like our dogs or cats than what most people think of when they think of chickens.

Our first bird Daisey (about a 4.5lb mixed) has no top beak,(that's how we found her and she's how we got into having chickens) which leaves her quite defenseless. Our second bird Bluebell (8lb gorgeous Blue Cochin) has turned into a bully and continues to injure Daisey and if we don't continue to separate them we are sure she will kill her.

We love Daisey and can't let this continue so we need to either get rid of our big Bluebell or find a way to stop her behavior. Any suggestions?

Would Bluebell be better off with birds her own size? Or with a rooster to manage her? Or what about one of those beak cover/anti-pecking things?

Thanks,
Chad

 

[Judy]

Yup, in this case I'd get pinless peepers.

 

[mstricer]

Chad your hen was probably de- beaked as a chick. As for your cochin being a bully. Maybe your first hen was at the top and now the cochin is wanting that spot. You could add more chickens, but if you buy chicks you will be a while before you can add them. Unless you buy pullets.
On a different note, did you know you don't have to heat your coop. It does more harm then good.
Michele