Flock is mean to 1 Chicken

[Lavender6]

I have 6 pullets from 4 to 5 months old. One is smaller than the others but she isn't scared. The rest of them peck her if she comes to eat or drink. I put 3 feeders, one large and 2 small waters so she can eat. If I throw grit or treats they peck her. She always goes right back but they will chase her. Last night they totally left her alone on the roost. She looked so pitiful. I have a 4 month old roo that bullies them all. They are all orpingtons and all came from the same flock. Any suggestions?

 

[LizzzyJo]

They are establishing their pecking order. If you see blood or patches of feather loss, then you can attempt to make changes like pinless peepers or removing a single bully to time out for a few days. Some people also have great success with alternate separation strategies - you can find these on the articles page (Azygous has one).

Put out multiple feeders and waterers. Clutter up the run with different platforms and logs and objects to hide behind and in. Watch for serious damage and buy some blu kote to use if it becomes violent.

It will likely all be fine once they all get their positions. Good luck!

 

[Lady Clucks-a-Lot]

I also have a flock of 5 (we're going to add 3 more), and there is this one chicken who gets bullied a lot since that she is at the bottom of the Pecking ORDER. I would sometimes take her out alone and feed her by hand, but she's still okay. It looks like that you may need to separate them.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

They are establishing their pecking order. If you see blood or patches of feather loss, then you can attempt to make changes like pinless peepers or removing a single bully to time out for a few days. Some people also have great success with alternate separation strategies - you can find these on the articles page (Azygous has one).

Put out multiple feeders and waterers. Clutter up the run with different platforms and logs and objects to hide behind and in. Watch for serious damage and buy some blu kote to use if it becomes violent.

It will likely all be fine once they all get their positions. Good luck!

^^^

 

[LaFleche]

I have 6 pullets from 4 to 5 months old. One is smaller than the others but she isn't scared. The rest of them peck her if she comes to eat or drink. I put 3 feeders, one large and 2 small waters so she can eat. If I throw grit or treats they peck her. She always goes right back but they will chase her. Last night they totally left her alone on the roost. She looked so pitiful. I have a 4 month old roo that bullies them all. They are all orpingtons and all came from the same flock. Any suggestions?

The difference in size could hint to internal parasites, so try deworming.

I just had the same thing happen here with my youngsters at 8 weeks old, one pullet suddenly noticeably smaller and getting pecked from the feeders.
Right after deworming she is gaining more than 25 grams per day and has almost made up the difference in size/weight after just 7 days.

And she is no longer chased from the feeders, but jumps right into the dishes.

 

[Lavender6]

The difference in size could hint to internal parasites, so try deworming.

I just had the same thing happen here with my youngsters at 8 weeks old, one pullet suddenly noticeably smaller and getting pecked from the feeders.
Right after deworming she is gaining more than 25 grams per day and has almost made up the difference in size/weight after just 7 days.

And she is no longer chased from the feeders, but jumps right into the dishes.

Very Good! Thank you. I have a DeWormer I bought when I first got them. Come to think of it, she hasn't grown a bit while the rest are flourishing! Thanks! I will let you know!

 

[Lavender6]

They are establishing their pecking order. If you see blood or patches of feather loss, then you can attempt to make changes like pinless peepers or removing a single bully to time out for a few days. Some people also have great success with alternate separation strategies - you can find these on the articles page (Azygous has one).

Put out multiple feeders and waterers. Clutter up the run with different platforms and logs and objects to hide behind and in. Watch for serious damage and buy some blu kote to use if it becomes violent.

It will likely all be fine once they all get their positions. Good luck!

Thank you so much. Will set dmsome objects up tomorrow

 

[LizzzyJo]

Thank you so much. Will set dmsome objects up tomorrow

Let us know how it goes! By the way Mt Vernon is so beautiful - you are so lucky!

--born and raised Louisvillian transplanted to Ohio