Help

[Mrs Flear]

So we are having a bit of a problem right now, we have had our two silkies (lady and henny) for 2 years now and never had any bother... until now that is. We have had to separate them. Lady seems to be attacking henny, by standing on her back and pulling hennys neck feathers out and quite littelary trying to smash her skull. It's quite a violent attack. I know there is a pecking order and lady is clearly boss always has been, henny is a shy bird but right now she is terrified to move because lady goes for her every time. Once we have separated them henny is happy as can be, I did try putting lady back in tonight, but almost straight away attacking henny. so I have separated them again. Any advice I am grateful for.

 

[Table4Six]

Could you post pictures of both birds?

From what you described, I think Lady might be a rooster and is trying to mate with Henny.

 

[Mrs Flear]

Could you post pictures of both birds?

From what you described, I think Lady might be a rooster and is trying to mate with Henny.

She's defiantly not a rooster but I will post a picture

 

[Mrs Flear]

Lady to the left henny to the right

 

[Table4Six]

Yes, that's a hen.
Well, for now I would keep them separate, but still able to see each other. It sounds like Lady is mounting Henny to establish her dominance, even though Henny is aware of it. After being separated for a little while, Lady should calm down and you should be able to put them back together. I hope everything goes smoothly.

 

[Mrs Flear]

Thank you for the advice. They have been separated for a week now. I am ordering a new coop so I might keep the old one beside it for a while.