Help, Bullying..

[Bourdon]

We had almost an entire flock die from pecking order they were meat chickens tho so we didn’t get close to them well I did but I was like really young

I’m sorry to hear that. That must have been so sad.

 

[Bourdon]

This often happens when birds get close to full size. What was enough space before, is no longer enough space. These are a couple of fallacies that often work well with other pets, but not with chickens:

• Being raised together will keep them all getting along. Being raised together has little influence on adult behavior
• Allowing a couple of hours of free range will make up for a too small coop or run. Much like keeping a dog in the house and going for a walk once a day. Chickens do not get this. Often times it is the coop that is too small. In the winter, chickens are roosted up for 14-16 hours in the winter - way too long to be over crowded.

What I will ask is what are your dimensions of the coup/run and the number head of birds.
And how is your space set up? Is there clutter in the run where birds can get away from each other and out of sight of each other or is it just a wide open rectangle where every chicken can see every other chicken 100% of time. Adding clutter can really help.

Do you have multiple feed bowls? And set those up so that birds eating in one bowl cannot see the birds eating at another bowl. I generally have a bowl for every 3-4 birds.

I would imagine that there is a great deal of tension in your flock that is now irrupting into violence. Some birds can tolerate overcrowding, and some birds cannot.

As you have the separate run, I would divide the more aggressive and less aggressive, for a short term solution. But I am thinking that you probably have too many birds for your set up and should cull some. When you split them I think you will be aware of the loss of tension.

Years ago, I had a bad case of chicken math, and was getting the behaviors you described when a predator helped me out. I was just sick, and lost several birds...but in two days I noticed how much more relaxed my flock was. It was amazing, I took a head count, and never went above it in that set up.

No one likes to give up birds, it is not in our nature. But when you realize how much more content the remaining birds are, it is worth it. Wishing they would all be nice won't work.

Mrs K

I’m so sorry you went through that. I am happy to hear your chicks are now much more content. I appreciate hearing about your experience.

 

[aart]

Tho you may have enough space, how that space is arranged could make a difference.
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Just saw your other thread about the SF having some possible cognitive/vision issues.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/behavior-that-might-be-a-disability.1523691/
Is she still having these problems?
That can definitely arouse 'banning events' from the flock.

 

[Bourdon]

Tho you may have enough space, how that space is arranged could make a difference.
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Just saw your other thread about the SF having some possible cognitive/vision issues.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/behavior-that-might-be-a-disability.1523691/
Is she still having these problems?
That can definitely arouse 'banning events' from the flock.

Hi Aart,

I can describe it pretty quickly I think… there is a 5x10 run to one side of the elevated 30sq ft chicken house, underneath is available with a second run to the other side, connected underneath he house, this is a 100sq ft run. All of this is enclosed in a 1000sq ft yard in which they free range about 6 hours a day and frequently more. They all range on the property with supervision but we are rural with extreme predation so they are always supervised when loose on the property by one of us and the dogs. Plenty of grass is always available and we are surrounded by pine forest. They have the ability to get out of line of sight of one another any time and free access to runs with, perches and entertainment, and chicken house by gates on each side of the run. Two rows of roosts and many nesting boxes are available in their house. They have several chairs dedicated to their comfort where they roost while ranging and have 3 separate food and water stations. All doors are secure and windows close and latch. We have ensured high ventilation and use deep litter bio bed which is awesome and has no smell at all. I turn the top layer of the bio bed every day and clean the runs daily. Does this help?

in addition, no chickens seem to even have pecking order disputes at all anymore, but last night when I cleaned chicolettas new digs she snuck by me and dashed into their free range yard. She said hello to several of the chickens then spotted waffles 20 feet away, dashed directly towards her and tried to attack. Fortunately, my husband snatched up Chicoletta and she was promptly returned.

 

[Bourdon]

Tho you may have enough space, how that space is arranged could make a difference.
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Just saw your other thread about the SF having some possible cognitive/vision issues.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/behavior-that-might-be-a-disability.1523691/
Is she still having these problems?
That can definitely arouse 'banning events' from the flock.

And oh yes. SF is the one with issues. We have been able to rule out vision as we’ve observed her. There is definitely cognitive issue. In general the other chickens are helpful and very kind with her. It is amazing to watch. Do you think that has something to do with this attack. Note… Chicoletta does not do this to anyone else. No one in the flock has any disputes and we watch them all,very closely. I don’t think I’m missing existing tensions.

and we had our first egg yesterday! Yay!

 

[aart]

I can describe it pretty quickly I think… there is a 5x10 run to one side of the elevated 30sq ft chicken house, underneath is available with a second run to the other side, connected underneath he house, this is a 100sq ft run.

Kinda confusing, why pics would help.
But....14 birds in a 30sqft coop can make for crankiness, no matter how much space they have during the day.

SF is the one with issues. We have been able to rule out vision as we’ve observed her. There is definitely cognitive issue. In general the other chickens are helpful and very kind with her. It is amazing to watch. Do you think that has something to do with this attack. Note… Chicoletta does not do this to anyone else. No one in the flock has any disputes and we watch them all,very closely. I don’t think I’m missing existing tensions.

Is Chicoletta the top bird?
Might be her responsibility to drum out any weak flock members.
Or Chicoletta might just be a bully.

 

[Bourdon]

Kinda confusing, why pics would help.
But....14 birds in a 30sqft coop can make for crankiness, no matter how much space they have during the day.


Is Chicoletta the top bird?
Might be her responsibility to drum out any weak flock members.
Or Chicoletta might just be a bully.

Chicoletta is not top bird. Henrietta is. Henrietta does what she can to protect Waffles but she’s not always there. When she’s not…

The bigger coop is in process. DH got very very ill and was knocked out of the game for two months so we had to use the small coop. However, my dork self… 6x8=48. Don’t know where I got 30. So not quite as bad.

I’ll see if I can get photos when I get home.