Help! A Big Mean Chicken

I have a Cuckoo Maran (Betty) and a White Crested Polish(Polly Peeps) who were hatched and raised together. They were best friends, always snuggled together, and would have a fit if they were separated even for a minute. Now that's all changed for the worst and it's so heart breaking.

Betty just started laying her eggs (4 total) and wants nothing to do with poor Polly who's a real sweetie. When they're out free ranging, Betty growls if Polly gets too close to her and will attack her head and rip a few feathers out (doesn't eat them) and Polly squeals in pain.

Betty also thinks that she doesn't have to share the hen house and will chase Polly out if she goes up into the coop. Polly hasn't layed an egg since Betty started laying, probably because Betty won't let her go into the nest box. Betty only used the nest box once and then made her own nest in the corner.

She won't allow Polly to roost next to her anymore at night so I had to build a separate roost for Polly to sleep on.

I'm wondering if maybe Betty thinks that Polly has something to do with her missing eggs. The last couple of days Betty has been throwing the bedding out the chicken door like she's looking for her eggs.

I hear that Marans are broody and make great mothers, could this be cause for her behavior? Will she ever go back to being the nice, friendly chicken I once had?

I've smeared anti-peck goop and have sprayed vinegar/water mix on Polly's head, but it doesn't stop the aggression.

I can see that Polly is confused and hurt by Betty's behavior.

I'm sorry for the long post, but I'm hoping someone can help me. These are my first chickens, and I just love them. I don't want to have give one of them up.

Thanks, Heidi

 

Thanks so much for the tips. I think you're right about Polly needing a haircut. Can you tell me how to do that so I don't hurt her feathers?

 

I truly appreciate all of the great advice I've been getting.

I'm working up my courage to give Polly a haircut. It reminds me of cutting my baby's fingernails for the first time.

Interesting about the behavior modification...It's been my natural reaction to say, "Stop!" or "NO! Betty!" when she attacks Polly when they're roaming around the yard (I don't let them free range without supervision - too many hawks) but I'm not always in the coop breaking up the scraps, so I don't know how effective I'm being.

My DH wondered if Betty would respond to a quick squirt of water from a spray bottle when caught in the act. Kind of like what some people do to get their dogs/cats to quit a bad habit. Has anyone ever tried that? I don't want to really start blasting her with water unless it's recommended.

Thanks again!