Easter Egger not herself

[Catijoe Farm]

Morning all! Hoping you can help. I have 11 chickens and up until two weeks ago, they were split into two coops (side by side). We built a bigger coop and run and put them all in together. Hannah Brown, my Easter Egger started molting (or so I thought) but now I'm thinking it may be stress related. The two Stars (I think) (Harriet and Nellie Olsen - aptly named) are HUGE bullies and very mean to Hannah in particular.

Yesterday I found Hannah up in the coop sitting on a high rafter. She would not come down. When I got home from work she was still there so I brought her down, fed her and she tentatively walked into the run. She was not there for long before she took refuge on the plank leading into the coop and then went into the coop itself. She was there again this morning when I went out to feed the girls. I am so worried about her. I'm seriously thinking of butchering Harriet and Nellie. I have never seen two girls who were this aggressive.

Can anyone give me some advice? Thanks so much.

 

[andreanar]

You can try taking Harriet and putting her somewhere where she cant see or hear the others. Keep her by herself for a week. (do the same with Nellie). Then reintro them one at a time a few days apart, to the flock. Maybe that will put them on the bottom of the order. Also, put things in your run that Hannah can hide behind when she feels threatened.

 

[Catijoe Farm]

You can try taking Harriet and putting her somewhere where she cant see or hear the others. Keep her by herself for a week. (do the same with Nellie). Then reintro them one at a time a few days apart, to the flock. Maybe that will put them on the bottom of the order. Also, put things in your run that Hannah can hide behind when she feels threatened.

Thank you! I will give this a try.

 

[andreanar]

I would try that, then cull or rehome either Hannah or the bullies if it doesn't work.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@andreanar Has given you some good advise. Some hens can be really nasty separating them out is a good plan.
How old is she - is she laying eggs, any problems laying?

In the meantime - check Hannah Brown over for any signs of mites/lice, weight loss and general unwellness. Stress can cause feather loss/she might have some loss due to plucking/pecking as well. Give her a boost with some poultry vitamins and extra protein.

You may also want to consider multiple food/water stations - this splits the flock up a bit more evenly. When it's "treat time" scatter the treats or place them in several areas - bully hens can't cover all these areas at at time.

Hope all goes well for you.

 

[Catijoe Farm]

@andreanar Has given you some good advise. Some hens can be really nasty separating them out is a good plan.
How old is she - is she laying eggs, any problems laying?

In the meantime - check Hannah Brown over for any signs of mites/lice, weight loss and general unwellness. Stress can cause feather loss/she might have some loss due to plucking/pecking as well. Give her a boost with some poultry vitamins and extra protein.

You may also want to consider multiple food/water stations - this splits the flock up a bit more evenly. When it's "treat time" scatter the treats or place them in several areas - bully hens can't cover all these areas at at time.

Hope all goes well for you.

I'm not sure how old she is...got her from a friend. I think she was laying. I have 11 hens so it's hard to keep track. I will give her some vitamins. I have separated her into her own coop/run.

It is the darndest thing, I have two bowls of water and spread the food far and wide. When Harriet and Nellie see someone eating from another pile, they run over and chase the other hen(s) away. They "divide and conquer" Honestly, they are just nasty girls.

 

[Catijoe Farm]

I would try that, then cull or rehome either Hannah or the bullies if it doesn't work.

Thanks. I have put Hannah in her own coop/run. I won't cull Hannah, it will be those other two nasty girls.