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/

 

[charlotteda]

Very interesting. My Nugget is definitely in victim mode. I have a smaller 2x4 pen that I use for jail. It sits inside the coop. I wonder if that would be okay. And the chickens do get up before I do- if I put her o. The roost after dark - I imagine there will be some head pecking in the morning.

 

[charlotteda]

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

I have a 8x10 coop with a small door going out into a 10x12 run. Only 3 chickens so space isn’t a problem. My husband is going to build a 2x8 jail under the poop board but right now I’m having to use the smaller wire cage 2x4. I could let Gertie go but I worry about ending up with a lone chicken - especially if something happens to old Lyla. Lyla takes no crap from Gertie.

 

[FrostRanger]

Jailing nugget can be a good way for her to get her confidence back.

Also, for clarification is nugget your 10 year old or one of your 1 1/2 year olds? If she's the 10 year old it could be possible something is up with her health wise and Gert could be picking on her because of it. I would do a health check on nugget just to be safe