Hateful chicken

[Carol1463]

I have two HENS ( grew up together )! both set on eggs and were successful. The sweetest hen I have has now become a total wanna kill the other hen . Both are pekin buff cochen . Had to separate on day 2 as I went to check next morning & the normally hateful hen ( witch)was all bloody up! Of course so was sweetie. They are now almost 3 weeks post hatch . They csn see each other & fight between the screen . Rest of the flock mixed group & rooster gives them no thought . Copper my ROO DID BREAK UP 2 fights . I separated the hens & still see each other . The witch I call her is minding her own business with her two chicks . Sweetie ( now mean one ) goes after her each time I try to let them free range ., no problem with space. I now have to bring witch in our garage in another dog kennel at night & sweetie stays in her 3 story coop .
What do I do ? Gonna be a long hot summer for me if I have to go out there constant to keep the battle short or stop it . Got a chicken net catcher to separate the gals .
What you say ??

 

[SkyAJK]

You got a total chicken drama there sorry I laugh.

I share your pain there, I have this scenario here and there with certain hens, after awhile they are back to normal again. I did have to separate them, like put one outside of the run by herself, we do not have predators as such so that single hen is not in danger.

A while back I got 2 adult hens from a rescue farm, 1 bully the other so I put the bully one in a box with holes to breath for a few hours as soon as I saw her doing the bullying. She is very smart, after twice in a box, she stopped it completely.

My broody hens often get peck at by the flock because when they are broody, they are aggressive & running around like crazy. I often let them out of the run by themselves for a few days or more, only go into the coop at night. This also stop the broodiness.

Then I have 1 serial bully that I tried the same separation method, and repeated so many times over, but she did not improve for long, often back to her old way after a few days. By chance I put an old hen in that flock and I noticed the bully had mellow down and stopped the bullying....so far...this was unexpected.

Molting is also a bad time. Many of my hens are quiet when they molt, but 1 hen is a trouble maker in this condition, she is jumpy, run around and peck at just about everyone near her. I have to put her in a dog carry box to sleep in the garage at night, this is to keep her comfortable and let other sleep in peace.

I find that I have chicken drama in just about any condition. I often make adjustment with my flock. Whenever they are all at peace, I am so graceful.

Those are my experience, other know more &point you to the right direction for solution.

If you have room, might be separate both mother hens and kids for awhile.

Your hens sound very sweet and funny too, might be being mother hens that get them this way. This might just be temporary.
Wishing you and your hens all the best.

 

[Carol1463]

Boy howdy , you seem to have bunch of daughters all on their cycle at the same time my gals are two end of the yardstick . But wow ! Sweetie ( the now witch ) has 5 chicks . Such a great mom. Hers are 1 day older than witch ( which is still a witch but not as bad ) . And lots bigger.. Need to get sweetie out of her 3 story mansion ! And WITCH moved back in ! But hopefully it will settle soon . Heck witch loaded herself & chicks in the dog crate ( on wheels ) all by her self as if , let's go to the house mom ! THANKS FOR A LAUGH ! You really have it going !!

 

[Finchbreeder]

It's new mum hormones - some just sail through it - and some go from angel to devil in 2 shakes of a feather duster. It settles down, but how long it takes to do so can vary.

 

[Carol1463]

new mum hormones - some just sail through it - and some go from angel to devil in 2 shakes of a feather duster. It settles down, but how long it takes to do so can vary.

Ok thanks ! We will keep trying to make happen . If nothing else , I'll have a hen & two chicks trained to a dog crate .

 

[SkyAJK]

My broody hen left her kids at 5 weeks old, she did not want to have anything further to do with them, she wanted her life back. She was back to her old self again and hang out with her friend as before.

So like Finchbreeder says, new mum hormones for some.

 

[Carol1463]

The gals were add again and the rooster had to break them up twice. They're all bloodied up. I go out there and turn my back and then they go at it and the rains are gonna come. Oh my gosh, what am I going to do?