HELP FAST!!!! It started with one. ALL hens are fighting constantly!!!

SERIOUSLY Bargain - - - I think it is a great idea. I use a water hose when I am training mine to leave the free range area when I want them to. I squirt right at the rump and GUIDE them out the gate and head them towards the coop. If they head the wrong way - - they run into a wall of water. A few times of doing this and the girls are trained to leave when I say "it is time to go HOME".

If I did not use this technique, I would have to chase them all around the yard. . . . . NOT FUN !
 
ATT OUT WAR HAS ERUPTED! Everyone is fighting (all of the hens, roo just walks around) One of my hens had blood on her neck and they all have bloody combs! I need help before they seriously hurt each other. Shouldnt the roo be intercepting??? HELP!!!!!!!!
 
I have been letting them sort it out, but even when they free range and have all of the space they could possibly want, they still come at each other!

Question 1: Shouldnt Jasper, my rooster be intercepting?

Question 2: Why are they doing this?

Question 3: Will they stop?

Question 4: Is this just pecking order, and will they get over it when they get older?
 
1. Not all roosters will get in the way of his hens pecking order battles, especially if he is a younger roo. Take it you have a young flock, and I find many roos are not the best gentlemen and leaders till 2-3 years old.

2. They are doing this to re-establish pecking order. They did it as chicks, but as chicks it was "cute", they are doing it now again as adults for some reason or another... only they really know..

3. They will stop, not even roosters will fight to the death normally.

4. Let them battle it out, it will happen time to time. It's part of flock dynamics. A bit of blood, a beak of feathers, let them figure it out. In general, the more you step in, the longer the fight takes. Just make sure their coop is big enough.
 
My rooster is nearing 2 years of age, but I've only had him for a few months, as he was a rescue.
 
I would break up their fights when they're getting out of hand, in whatever way works for you. Sometimes, chickens kill each other. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. It's not always new chickens that get killed, sometimes it happens in flocks that grew up together. I think it's more likely as they're nearing adulthood, with more hormones surging and asserting themselves in the pecking order, but that's just my own impression over the years.

Double check their environment for anything that could add to them being more irritable. I would make sure they are getting enough protein. Check to make sure they don't have any mites that could be biting them, which can make chickens more irritable. Make sure they have enough roosting space and aren't crowded in the coop and run, if you have one. Be sure to let them out as soon as possible in the morning and don't lock them up early, until they get past this. You don't want them locked in a tight space, frustrated to get out, while they are in a more aggressive state. Add another feeder and waterer, so they aren't having dominance fights over one source. You can use something as simple as a bowl, you don't need to spend a lot of money. When you give treats, spread them very far apart.

If you can, encourage them to do other things. I don't know what your property is like. Maybe they have enough to do already. I would do things to entice them into other activities as much as possible. Around here, adding fresh sand to their dust bathes and run always gets them excited to scratch around and dust bathe. Scratching in leaf litter is a big hit. Having extra things to hop on and climb on. Snacks, of course. Maybe dig in the garden a little and let them come over and scratch through some shovelfuls of dirt. Once they get past the worst of this, things should settle down.

Chicken fights can get out of hand, dog fights can get out of hand, people fights can get out of hand. Most of the time, they don't. Once in awhile, with certain individuals, they do. I think it's always good to keep an eye on them and be ready to tone things down. Chickens from hatcheries don't have the benefit of growing up in an orderly society, watching how to behave. They have to figure it out for themselves, but sometimes they go astray and need a little help to get back on track.
 
They are still fighting! Bloody combs are not uncommon in the flock. The good news is that its not just one fighting and that I dont have tp get rid of it. Im pretty shure it is pecking order.
 

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