Flock aggression toward one hen

[JudyRunRooster]

I have a mixed breed flock of 15 hens. For a month or so now I have noticed mild aggression by the rest of the flock toward one barred rock. The last day or two the aggression has become much more pronounced. Today I isolated the hen which has had feathers pecked and I suspect been pushed around aggressively for some time. When I picked her up I noticed she was very thin. I suspect the flock has kept her from food and water with their aggressive action. I will keep her isolated with her own food and water for a while. My question is what causes this sudden flock behavior and what can I do about it? Will this outcast recover and be able to rejoin the flock?

 

[enola]

When I notice hens becoming aggressive I catch them and put hen peepers on them. That takes the aggression away quickly. They can still see to eat drink and walk around. They just can't see well enough to chase any body.

 

[simplepleasures]

I have noticed this with mine recently too, they all got along great but one of them became unwell and I spent a lot more time watching them because of that. Now I see that they keep her away from food by pecking at her, I saw one grab her wing today as she went past to get to the food. She was also pushed off a pole she had got comfortable on yesterday. When I check the coop at night she is sitting on the ground and the others are all comfy elsewhere. She has also stopped laying.

Not really sure what to do about it at the moment, wondering if it's the natural pecking order or more severe than that.

Will keep an eye on this thread for any answers you get, good luck!

 

[bald egg]

I'm having the same problem right now. They have gone as far as kicking one hen out of the coop at night. The poor dear was sleeping out side in the cold. Not sure what to do. If I remove her will they just start picking on another or do I remove the biggest bully? This is the first time that I've had a flock that has done this. I have 12 mixed breed hens. 8 from last year and 4 new this spring. Last years hens are the aggressive ones.

 

[Heidi Marston]

As a first time chicken owner, I am experiencing the same issue and didn't want to start a new thread. Hoping someone with experience could share their 2 cents.
I have 6 mixed breed hens that have been together since day one. They are 17 weeks old. Our barred rock and whiting true blue have become very aggressive to their flock mates. Specifically to our Red Star that we think might lay soon. They chase her around, peck at her when she is eating and drinking and worst of all, last night they pecked her so much on the roost, that she ended up sleeping on the floor.
I don't know if this is normal chicken behavior. All I know is that it is hard to watch and if I can do anything to help stop it, I want to.
I have put out extra feed containers and extra waterers so that no one feels like they have to fight for food.
Is this normal or should I intervene? Thanks to anyone that has some advice for me.

 

[Alaskan]

Is this normal or should I intervene? Thanks to anyone that has some advice for me.

No, that is not normal, and yes, I think you need to intervene.

An abundance of feeders and waterers is a great first step. Another help is to change up the "furniture" of the coop while being very careful not to create any spots where a chicken could get pinned. Also, boredom busters like a huge pile of leaves, or a bale of hay to distract the bullies.

Next, figure out why.

Is there not enough space in the coop or run? Are they locked up more now that it is cold?

Or, is there something off or odd about the chicken being abused?

If the chicken being bullied has a deformity, or issue, or obvious difference.. you might never be able to get them to live in harmony.

If it is a space issue.. then sell some of the flock, or build a bigger coop.