Help!! Bully Hen.

[louhart]

Hey chicken lovers, I need your advice. We acquired 2 standard polish hens named Cornpop (black) and Pineapple(buff laced) from friends who were moving. These hens were the reason we decided on hens

Our established flock consists of 2 standard buff laced polish, 2 buff brahma bantams, and 2 black polish bantams.

The new girls were in quarantine for 4 weeks and then were able to see the girls through the fence. No problems...

That's until Sunday when Cornpop (the black polish) somehow got out our fenced yard, and was hit by a car. She did not survive and her poor Pineapple is devastated. She bawls and bawls; sounds I've never heard a chicken make.

it breaks my heart.

We moved Pineapple in with our girls, we didn't want her to be alone. Our girls are so chill, they really paid her no mind. At first Pineapple would just stand by the gate that separated the two yards... It was her favorite place to chill when she was on the other side. She would just watch the other birds....

Now she is bullying our 4 hens who aren't black. She will jump on them and peck them. Just harassing them. They see her coming and avoid her.

I go out and try to comfort them all with warm treats and cuddles. Lucky for me all of them love to be held and snuggled. I just feel bad for Pinapple losing her best bud and moving in with all these strangers. I also feel bad for my other girls who are being bullied.

On the flip side, I'm glad it's not 6v1 in my yard.

Any advice is welcomed. Just want to get past our tragedy as smooth as possible.

Thank you!!!

 

[beetandsteet]

Hens' pecking orders are so tricky! You don't want Pineapple to live alone. The first few days/weeks of "integration" are always the roughest; the pecking order is being rearranged. As long as Pineapple isn't drawing blood on these hens, you can see how the pecking order works out. If the fighting starts to get bloody, she will have to be separated. Hens are little cannibals, and they love the taste of blood. Usually, the lower hens will learn to avoid her, and take her verbal cues when they're overstepping their boundaries.
You are right, it's better that it isn't all six of your hens vs. Pineapple.

 

[Whittni]

I agree with beetandsteet, it'll only take a week or two for things to settle down. I'm sorry for your loss!

 

[ftfarmer22]

Hens' pecking orders are so tricky! You don't want Pineapple to live alone. The first few days/weeks of "integration" are always the roughest; the pecking order is being rearranged. As long as the Pineapple isn't drawing blood on these hens, you can see how the pecking order works out. If the fighting starts to get bloody, she will have to be separated. Hens are little cannibals, and they love the taste of blood. Usually, the lower hens will learn to avoid her, and take her verbal cues when they're overstepping their boundaries.
You are right, it's better that it isn't all six of your hens vs. Pineapple.

Definitely agree with @beetandsteet . This is just them developing their pecking order, and it will stop soon. I am surprised that the other chickens aren't bullying Pineapple. Usually its the new chicken that gets picked on by the other members of the flock. I am so sorry for you and Pineapple's loss

Good luck!

-ftfarmer22

 

[louhart]

Thank you @beetandsteet, @Whittniand @ftfarmer22. I figure it will continue to get better and each day is. Just sorrow around the manor. My established flock never really squabbled, pecking order just easily fell into place. Only had a problem with one hen getting picked one once. I put Vicks on the back of her neck and it stopped immediately. It's comforting that no blood has come, nothing going on longer than maybe 2-3 pecks. And the bantams are so fast they just run to avoid her. Just keeping positive vibes and giving loves to them all. Egg laying has slowed a little bit. Hoping that will pick back up next week.

Thank you so much for you advice and condolences.