Helping out the lowest in the pecking order

[mimiywan]

I have a flock of 4 laying hens--Australop, Cuckoo Marans, New Hampshire Red and an EE. My EE is the lowest on the totem pole and the flock is mostly mellow. However, when I bring treats like kale or something they really love, the other three hens make sure that my EE does not get to eat. They will peck her and drive her away. Today, I put 2 in the coop and one in the run while my EE ate the kale and other treats in peace. The 2 in the coop were really mad, pacing back and forth, clucking and generally trying to get out of the coop. I don't think the EE is the smartest but certainly so gentle. Should I not intervene and let the flock manage itself? I will be incorporating new hens into this flock and getting a bigger coop and run but worry that my hens are mean girls and will peck the new hens when they arrive. Does their aggression mean that I don't feed them enough? I leave feed out all day and make sure there is always plenty. They are a bit treat driven since I bring out dried meal worms, fruit and greens on a regular basis. Will the others take revenge on my EE if I try to favor her? They did not seem to when I let everyone back out, but I am not around them all day. I had a Gold Sex Link that was really aggressive and on the top of the order but she died recently. I was kind of relieved since I thought she was really a tyrant. Thanks for anyone's advice and thoughts on this issue.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's pecking order and no way to anticipate. Every flock will have dominant birds that eat first.
It's worse if they can't forage and are confined to a smaller space. That's why egg farms trim beaks.

 

[SavageDestiny]

I have the same problem. My EE is so gentle and sweet, and definitely the lowest in the peck order. During feeding time I put out 4 bowls of feed (I have 4 girls) so that when she gets chased off a bowl she can just hustle to another one and eat. She gets plenty that way.

When I feed snacks or treats, she won't compete with the other girls for them. So I toss everything out and set some aside for her. I just hand feed her treats, she takes them very gently from my fingers. That way I know she gets her fair share.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I often do the same thing if there is one that won't compete.
That said, if we are feeding primarily chicken feed and making it available free choice all day, with enough feeder space, all the birds are getting enough of the nutrients they really need that will keep them healthy.