Hen Aggression

[charlotteda]

I have 3 Lavendar Ameraucana after losing one to a long battle with crop issues. One of these hens is about 10 yrs old and doesn't really realize she is a chicken. She hangs with them but she doesn't take or give any trouble. Of the two young hens (1 1/2 yrs old), one Gertie is really picking on Nugget.

Now they are all in molt and poor Nugget molted first and I was a little worried about her being naked with approaching cold.

I know the pecking order can get a bit out of whack during molting. But, I didn't realize just how bad Gert was picking on Nugget until this morning. Poor Nuggest came over for treats and Gert really jumped on her. I hate a mean chicken.

Currently, Gert is in the "chicken jail" with food and water. I didn't want to put Nuggest in there because she is not being bad. Maybe that thinking is to anthropomorphic?

Do I need to look into rehoming one of these girls? Are things likely to improve once molt is done? Any ideas appreciated.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

@FarmerGirl101
@nuthatched

 

[Mrs. K]

Post some pictures of your set up. Maybe that will help us see something.

Separating them is a good thing to try, sometimes it works. Pin less peepers is also a good thing to try, a lot of people get small flocks to work with those.

Selling the mean bird - she might do just fine in someone else's flock, and getting new chicks is always fun.

Mrs K

 

[Shadrach]

I have 3 Lavendar Ameraucana after losing one to a long battle with crop issues. One of these hens is about 10 yrs old and doesn't really realize she is a chicken. She hangs with them but she doesn't take or give any trouble. Of the two young hens (1 1/2 yrs old), one Gertie is really picking on Nugget.

Now they are all in molt and poor Nugget molted first and I was a little worried about her being naked with approaching cold.

I know the pecking order can get a bit out of whack during molting. But, I didn't realize just how bad Gert was picking on Nugget until this morning. Poor Nuggest came over for treats and Gert really jumped on her. I hate a mean chicken.

Currently, Gert is in the "chicken jail" with food and water. I didn't want to put Nuggest in there because she is not being bad. Maybe that thinking is to anthropomorphic?

Do I need to look into rehoming one of these girls? Are things likely to improve once molt is done? Any ideas appreciated.

You may have done the right thing according to this well received article.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/