Do I seperate her?

[linseylew4409]

My Black Australorp is picking on my Plymouth Rock. I caught her on top of her pecking at her head! I am distraught. The PR's comb does look smaller than it use to or maybe it stopped growing? Do I separate them? Who do I separate? Will it end? What do I do? I feel so bad for her. The chickens are 27 weeks old and this is a recently new development. They have plenty of space so I'm not sure what the problem is.

 

[thebanthams]

Is he a rooster? if not you may have to seperate if she doing that again.

 

[linseylew4409]

No roosters. Do I separate the good one or the mean one? How long?

 

[cafarmgirl]

If you are absolutely positive that you are not dealing with a young rooster then I would watch them carefully and see if this is an ongoing problem. Is she pulling feathers out? Drawing blood? Is she fixated on the one hen? If you watch and it appears excessive to the point where the hen being attacked is in danger of being injured then I would pull the aggressive hen out and keep her out maybe 3 or 4 days. Then put her back in. If it starts again pull her out for longer and see if you can get things to settle down that way.

 

[linseylew4409]

I've witnessed 3 attacks today on one hen. She gets along with all the other hens. She jumps on her back and pecks at her comb and the feathers on top of her little head. If I separate her does she need a place to lay an egg? Or will she just find a spot? Thanks for the advice, it is helpful.

 

[cary 1973]

If you are absolutely positive that you are not dealing with a young rooster then I would watch them carefully and see if this is an ongoing problem. Is she pulling feathers out? Drawing blood? Is she fixated on the one hen? If you watch and it appears excessive to the point where the hen being attacked is in danger of being injured then I would pull the aggressive hen out and keep her out maybe 3 or 4 days. Then put her back in. If it starts again pull her out for longer and see if you can get things to settle down that way.

x 2

 

[Wisher1000]

How many hens do you have? Is she (the mean one) already laying regularly? I was suspecting a young roo as well. If she is laying, then a nest box would be good but not absolutely necessary. A cardboard box with shavings, hay, or shreaded paper will work. It may be easier to rehome the hen. You could probably trade her for a more timid hen or simply give the mean girl to someone with layers. A neighbor of mine had two sex-linked hens that he said were mean. He brought them to my house and turned them loose (I am not suggesting you do this) and my roos promptly "claimed" them. They have been no problem here.

 

[linseylew4409]

I have 5 hens. I'm getting 5 eggs a day, so yes, they are all laying... unless someone is popping out 2 day. This is stressful! I have gotten so attached to these hens I'm not sure if I could trade one. I'm going to try the separation method first and we'll see what happens. The weather just cooled off so maybe the heat was getting to them also. Hopefully she will calm down.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[linseylew4409]

Hen Prison

 

[Wisher1000]

Hen Prison

LOL! That should do it! Keep her in there for at least 2 weeks, a month would be better. Also, if there is anything you can move around in your coop or something you can add right away it will help. When the hen comes back and everything is new to her (but the others are used to it and comfortable) she will be less likely to bully the others. Another idea I had - get a roo and he will distract them from their shenannegans.