Help/Questions about Bullying Hens

[ChickenTater]

I have read a few articles on here already to help with bullying hens, but I have a specific question. I have two brown leghorns, and one of them (Bailey) has become very aggressive with my buff orpington. I'm almost certain that it's because they have too small of an enclosure (which I'm working on making bigger, but it's taking time :c).

Is it normal for bully hens to only pick on one other hen? Because that is my problem; Bailey is only picking on Tweetie, my orpington. None of the others are aggressive to each other. Is this common?

As I write this, it seems like my hens are all getting along, but we'll see in the morning.. If it keeps up in the next few days, I will definitely separate Bailey.

 

[SonoranChick]

In my experience, yes, this is quite normal. I have one gal who is ironically larger in size, but she is unfortunately the bottom rung of the pecking order and she is singled out. She is picked on by the top gals, so most times when I am with them, it appears that one or two are just bullying ONE poor girl. I do my best to alleviate the situation but honestly, it is what it is.
It is in their nature to have a pecking order. As long as there is not blood shed, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[SonoranChick]

I meant to add, my bully breed is my white leghorn, my brown leghorn is also an alpha hen. The one who is getting bullied is a red sex link (isa brown).

 

[Spartan22]

Leghorns are normally on top of pecking order, what irony they're normally the smallest in body weight. In my flock they are the mean girls the first year, so I made them wear the silly pinless peepers for couple of months and they matured and behaved, I had the love/hate relationship with them but they're my faithful layers almost 7 days a week. My Orpington ang EEs are the bottom ranks.

 

[ChickenTater]

As long as there is not blood shed, I wouldn't worry too much.

There is a little blood shed on her comb, but not much. Tiny spots that scab over within a day. Is that bad?

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Leghorns are normally on top of pecking order, what irony they're normally the smallest in body weight. In my flock they are the mean girls the first year, so I made them wear the silly pinless peepers for couple of months and they matured and behaved, I had the love/hate relationship with them but they're my faithful layers almost 7 days a week. My Orpington ang EEs are the bottom ranks.

What are pinless peepers? I've got a couple of leghorns that are drawing blood. I'd love to be able to curb that behaviour.

 

[Pork Pie]

What are pinless peepers? I've got a couple of leghorns that are drawing blood. I'd love to be able to curb that behaviour.

They are designed to limit the scope of eyesight. Just use the search function to find out more.

These links should be useful to all of those experiencing the problem. Pinless peepers, imo are a waste of time, as they do not address the core issue of why the behaviour is occurring. Better to fix the core issue, than address a symptom.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1148824/topic-of-the-week-feather-pecking-eating

http://articles.extension.org/pages...nibalism-in-small-and-backyard-poultry-flocks

 

[17 chickens]

I agree pinless peepers are a waste of time and money. Try hanging a green cabbage up for them to peck at. It sounds like they are bored and cramped.

 

[Spartan22]

What are pinless peepers? I've got a couple of leghorns that are drawing blood. I'd love to be able to curb that behaviour.

This is the photo of the pinless peepers,

I had only 10 hens at the time I used the pinless peepers. (2 months) during their hormonal stage (point of lay) I have a 10x12 coop 10 feet high ceiling, 6 nesting boxes and a 12x40 run. I was new to chicken 4 years ago and almost gave up on leghorns(almost butchered them) when they were drawing blood from my barred rock during their 22nd week, they all were raised since 1st day. I stumbled on pinless peepers which were only $12 for 20 pcs. I tried them and it worked for me, as a matter of fact never had to used them again after the 3 leghorns had matured. Never changed their diets nor made my coop or run bigger until I added 9 more hens the following year. I currently have 30 layers never had issues with pecking, I have 2nd and 3rd generations of leghorns since, mixed with multiple breeds of chickens. So in my opinion a well worth $12 investment vs killing 3 wonderful egg layers that lasted me good 3 yrs.

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

I've narrowed the bullies down to two leghorns. I moved all of the flock into a new, larger coop yesterday and they're still being bullies. Today I caught one grabbing a buckeyes wattle. It does not appear to have reached a stage of cannibalism. Should I pull the 2 bullies out and put them in a "time out" to help establish a new pecking order? How long?