Help...dominant pullet preventing other from eating and drinking

[lizrndiver]

So I have a mix of breeds and ages in my group of 4 pullets. The why's behind it are long and in other posts here. Basically I have a 14 or 15 week old BR, an 11 or 12 week sussex, a 16 week old sussex, and a 20 week old wyandotte.

I only had the BR initially and was not sure of her age. Each of the other pullets was from a different group and I introduced them all to each other on the same day.

Initially things went well, but now the Wyandotte, who is the obvious boss, won't let the BR and littler sussex eat or drink. They hide in the coop all day while the other two are in the run. I have 3 waterers and 2 feeders in the run. Today I added a waterer to the coop and closed it to the run for a while with the "people door open" Finally I coaxed the two out to drink. They were so hot from hiding together in a nest box. Once they had their fill, I reopened the door to the run.

The Wyandotte immediately ran in and pecked them. This time she drew blood so I pulled her out of the coop and put her in a cat carrier. The bloodied chicken looks fine. Just a cut above her beak. I will watch that.

What should I do now? The Wyandotte is sleeping in the carrier. She has access to water in there. Should I put her back in to the coop in the morning? I don't want the other pullets to die from the heat. I know pulling her out is delaying them settling in as a flock. Should she eventually calm down?

They show obvious submission to her. They cower and hide and run away.

Also the Wyandotte just started laying. I got a little pullet egg from her today. Is that contributing to the problems?

Please help.......

Thanks,

Liz

 

[gritsar]

I would keep the troublemaker seperated for at least a few days. This should knock her down a few pegs on the pecking order ladder.

 

[catfish/okie]

It may not be possible but if you could put a rooster in there. maybee one about 20 weeks old. This may backfire but maybe he would keep the big girl from picking on the younger ones. Just a hunch.

 

[CMV]

Quote:
I did this to a hen who was being a bully and it worked well. She is still the low man on the pecking order several months later which is fine by me. She was a brute and deserves a little payback.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

I agree keep the dominant one out for a few days. Also, chase the other ones out of the coop and block the door so they can't get back in. That will force them to mingle. Once all the others are doing ok then put the other in.

Steve in NC

 

[Jenski]

I have usually had pretty good luck temporarily separating the troublemaker out, as well. Changes the dynamics.

Good luck with your situation! Please keep us posted.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. I'd keep the bully in lock-up for a few days. I had the same issues. I had my feeder and waterer in the coop and a couple of bully's wouldn't let the others in to eat and drink. I solved that problem by adding another feeder and waterer and I cut a second pop door into the coop.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

When my dominant Deleware hen, Stacy, started picking on my EE, Sweet Amelia - it really ruffled my feathers. I noticed Sweet Amelia started watching for Stacy and would quickly leave when Stacy got close - Stacy would also peck Sweet Amelia's head.

I got some treats and called all the chickens together, spreading the treat in front of me so all birds had to come within arms length. Of course, chicks flocked.

I talked sweetly to them all, waiting and watching Stacy - she started to peck at Amelia and I pushed her away from the treats. I sat up a bit taller and looked her in the eye. Then I called the chicks again, pointing out the treats, being sure Sweet Amelia came to eat. When Stacy got to the treats, I looked her in eye so she knew I was watching her, again she tried to peck Amelia - again I pushed her away. Called the chicks back again, when Stacy tried to get a treat I pushed her away, sitting up taller and giving her the stink eye. (I did not push her hard, just enough to push her away from the treats) When I was ready, I let her back to eat a treat.

We tried it again. Took a few times before she understood that she could eat as long as she was nice. (she kept an eye on me, paying no attention to Sweet Amelia)

Then I got some cool fresh water and did the same thing over with the water.

While they are not "friends", Stacy no longer bullies Amelia. Each "hangs" with their own friends and can intermingle without conflict.