Hen getting bullied

[Mrs. K]

I am making the following guesses: these are the first chickens that you have, as in there are not older and younger birds in the flock. And that as they grew up, the space stayed the same, (I see you do plan to address the space issue, but have not at this point) and while it does not say where you live, I am assuming that the nights are getting longer.

Add to that the roosters are coming into their own, and while this is the only tension you see, I would bet there is a lot of tension in the flock.

What I would suggest if you are determined to keep that many roosters, put all the roosters in one pen for the winter. Let the girls grow up in a little peace. Then in 4-5 months you can make a better decision which roosters to which hens you want to breed. And more than likely, which roosters you should cull. Now that can mean to dispatch them, or it can mean to just live out their lives in the bachelor coop, or to give away. You decide.

However, I do not see your current plan of one or two roos with a small group of hens working. Roosters really don't get sharing that well, and often times will fight between the fence. In my opinion, to have that many roosters, one should have about 70 +/- hens, and acres to roam on.

As for the victim, sometimes they are always the victim, and given any stress, the attacks will break back out. Sometimes they do come into their own, and usually are merciless to any new birds.

Mrs K
ps - when I re-read your post, the numbers don't add up? At the beginning, you have 20 birds, but in a post lower down, you have 40?

 

[b2c2chicks]

I am making the following guesses: these are the first chickens that you have, as in there are not older and younger birds in the flock. And that as they grew up, the space stayed the same, (I see you do plan to address the space issue, but have not at this point) and while it does not say where you live, I am assuming that the nights are getting longer.

Add to that the roosters are coming into their own, and while this is the only tension you see, I would bet there is a lot of tension in the flock.

What I would suggest if you are determined to keep that many roosters, put all the roosters in one pen for the winter. Let the girls grow up in a little peace. Then in 4-5 months you can make a better decision which roosters to which hens you want to breed. And more than likely, which roosters you should cull. Now that can mean to dispatch them, or it can mean to just live out their lives in the bachelor coop, or to give away. You decide.

However, I do not see your current plan of one or two roos with a small group of hens working. Roosters really don't get sharing that well, and often times will fight between the fence. In my opinion, to have that many roosters, one should have about 70 +/- hens, and acres to roam on.

As for the victim, sometimes they are always the victim, and given any stress, the attacks will break back out. Sometimes they do come into their own, and usually are merciless to any new birds.

Mrs K
ps - when I re-read your post, the numbers don't add up? At the beginning, you have 20 birds, but in a post lower down, you have 40?

I have 2 separate flocks. I keep them apart because I raised the new ones and I know where they have been. They are for future breeding purposes. As for my older flock, I don’t know what they have been exposed to in their lives. They serve as my egg layers. It’s more of an overflow coop. Therefore, I can place the additional roosters in there until I decide what to do with them. I don’t necessarily need them, but I would like to hang onto a BCM and a Lavender orp should something ever happen to my primary roos.

I plan to keep 4 roosters for 3 different breeds. All separated. I’m curious about something you said...is it possible to keep 7 roosters altogether with zero hens? And not fight??

My last question, will chickens bully another if there’s something wrong with it? It crossed my mind, perhaps she’s weaker or sick? She appears completely healthy, but for some reason the BCMs are the ones going after her. The Dominiques and the other lavenders don’t even notice her.

The knucklehead rooster was quickly put in his place by the Easter Egger roo. He has refused to leave the coop when “Buford” is out in the run. The Lavender orp roo that I relocated with him has made friends and seems to be getting along great.

Unfortunately, free ranging is not an option. We have hawks as big as Buicks.

 

[aart]

We have hawks as big as Buicks.

My last question, will chickens bully another if there’s something wrong with it? It crossed my mind, perhaps she’s weaker or sick? She appears completely healthy, but for some reason the BCMs are the ones going after her.

Yes, or even just the 'low bird', especially if space is crowded, nutrition is lacking, and/or other birds are just aggressive. Removing an injured bird, then putting it back with flock is often just territoriality issues of integrating any birds, and especially a single bird.

I’m curious about something you said...is it possible to keep 7 roosters altogether with zero hens? And not fight??

It can be done, many do this but can depend on individuals birds demeanor's and/or space provided.