Do you “punish” (not abuse) your chickens?

[PhantomSlayer]

Yes. Use a couple of fingers and jab them just hard enough to get a reaction. It basically tells them "knock it off."

Thats helpful. Might have to attempt that we have 4 problem wyandottes. Were getting rid of the 2 roosters but if the hens dont stop being bullies they might have to go as well if we can't get them to stop bullying the others.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

I don't poke my chickens except once my cock tried to mate with my hand and was making a huge dent in my hand while he tried to jump on I have him a little tap and he got off we've still had a great relationship and NO more trying to mate with my hand I think I need to put him with my big flock so he can practice on them

 

[Farmgirl283420]

My hens also love to escape I pick them up kiss them and hug them then put them back!

 

[fluffycrow]

My hens also love to escape I pick them up kiss them and hug them then put them back!

To each their own I guess

 

[BelovedBirds]

When my ducks escape, I pick em up and toss them in their pool. It isn't a punishment, because they wouldn't understand what they did wrong.
It's just me being silly and they rather enjoy it. Keeps them from escaping for about 60 seconds and then they run away again.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thats helpful. Might have to attempt that we have 4 problem wyandottes. Were getting rid of the 2 roosters but if the hens dont stop being bullies they might have to go as well if we can't get them to stop bullying the others.

If you have having problems with multiple birds, have you looked into pinless peepers? What type of bullying issues are you having?

 

[PhantomSlayer]

If you have having problems with multiple birds, have you looked into pinless peepers? What type of bullying issues are you having?

Our wyandotte roosters were going after all of the hens and in turn the wyandotte hens were also going after other hens. We got rid of the roosters yesterday.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Our wyandotte roosters were going after all of the hens and in turn the wyandotte hens were also going after other hens. We got rid of the roosters yesterday.

With the hens "going after" = what exactly? There's a lot of degrees to bullying, so trying to figure out what specifically they're doing as the answer may vary quite a bit depending on the specific problem behavior(s) they're exhibiting.

 

[starlitchicken]

My grown hens are good. It’s the little ones that I usually give a gentle tap and a firm no too during the “no no” act which usually is pecking faces/ pulling feathers of flock mates.

 

[PhantomSlayer]

With the hens "going after" = what exactly? There's a lot of degrees to bullying, so trying to figure out what specifically they're doing as the answer may vary quite a bit depending on the specific problem behavior(s) they're exhibiting.

The males would start chasing and pecking our buff orpington, black australorp, barred rocks and sometimes pulling a feather here and there. (They weren't even crowing yet) Alot of the time chasing all the non wyandotte hens away from the food and treats. Making the wyandotte hens join in on the chasing and pecking. Which in turn set off my moms toulouse gosling who went after the wyandottes protecting the non wyandottes. Its not big enough to actually do damage but the wyandottes saw it charging and they bolt before going to target another hen in a food/treat area. But yeah it was just to much aggression and was making expanding with the 5 remaining brooder chicks impossible.

Were also soon to get 1-2 more goslings so we need things to not be dominated by two jerks.

As soon as my mom left with the males I let the 5 chicks free with the others and there was no issues. None of the others were pecking or chasing. More like ignoring them completely. The flock was under a trailer in the shade and the 5 chicks hunkered down in the coop. Even fed them in there and one wyandotte and 2 of the other non wyandottes joined to eat some and nothing. We have cold weather so were putting off overnights but when day time temps are up again (it was only 60 today) we'll see if it stays like that.

Today there was no problems with the wyandottes hens when my mom tossed some food on the ground.. Hopefully it stays like this.