Hen mounting other hens?

[Mother of Chaos]

That's an interesting idea - about the line of sight. There's 14' x 8' of run space - where the feeders are. The coop is "raised," so the small run is underneath it and the larger run is attached with an entry door from the small run. The feeding areas are separated only by the metal gate and hardware cloth. We have a Grandpa's feeder in the small run and another in the large run - but they can see through the gate and hardware cloth. When they're outside foraging it's just open space, but perhaps I can put one plate around the side of a shrub they use for cover if they see a hawk flying overhead. Overall, there's a pretty nice set-up for them. When our avian vet visits us she thinks there's plenty of both vertical and horizontal space with perches, etc. At least that's another opinion. Thanks for your help!

I hope it winds up being useful! I’ve always read about using clutter to break up lines of sight when integrating new chickens, and it works great!

I figured that if there’s specifically resource-hoarding going on, making it difficult for a bully to keep an eye on multiple stations might work. Or at least wear them out.

 

[TOMTE]

That's an interesting idea - about the line of sight. There's 14' x 8' of run space - where the feeders are. The coop is "raised," so the small run is underneath it and the larger run is attached with an entry door from the small run. The feeding areas are separated only by the metal gate and hardware cloth. We have a Grandpa's feeder in the small run and another in the large run - but they can see through the gate and hardware cloth. When they're outside foraging it's just open space, but perhaps I can put one plate around the side of a shrub they use for cover if they see a hawk flying overhead. Overall, there's a pretty nice set-up for them. When our avian vet visits us she thinks there's plenty of both vertical and horizontal space with perches, etc. At least that's another opinion. Thanks for your help!

When it comes to bullies in an enclosed space especially, the more clutter the better. Bullies are more likely to give up the chase once the victim is out of sight. The more chances the victim has to eat and drink and dirt bathe and do other chicken stuff without being picked on, the more confident the victim will get.

 

[SusiesPeeps]

I hope it winds up being useful! I’ve always read about using clutter to break up lines of sight when integrating new chickens, and it works great!

I figured that if there’s specifically resource-hoarding going on, making it difficult for a bully to keep an eye on multiple stations might work. Or at least wear them out.

Love it! I'll try it out!

 

[SemiSweet2391]

When it comes to bullies in an enclosed space especially, the more clutter the better. Bullies are more likely to give up the chase once the victim is out of sight. The more chances the victim has to eat and drink and dirt bathe and do other chicken stuff without being picked on, the more confident the victim will get.

I think I have a similar situation going on. The dominant-hen-until-proven-bully doesn’t lay anymore. Idk why we have her tbh. But would it disrupt the pecking order to get rid of her? Would it make it more peaceful?

 

[TOMTE]

I think I have a similar situation going on. The dominant-hen-until-proven-bully doesn’t lay anymore. Idk why we have her tbh. But would it disrupt the pecking order to get rid of her? Would it make it more peaceful?

I think it varies from flock to flock. If she's a huge bully, it might settle things to get rid of her (after the initial readjustment period). Or it might cause chaos if they consider her an integral part of the flock. Without knowing your exact situation and flock dynamics, nobody can say for certain how it would go down. Some people say chickens don't mourn/get sad about a flockmate's passing but I've seen plenty of evidence that they can and do. I've also seen evidence that victims of bullying feel relieved once the bully is gone.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

I think it varies from flock to flock. If she's a huge bully, it might settle things to get rid of her (after the initial readjustment period). Or it might cause chaos if they consider her an integral part of the flock. Without knowing your exact situation and flock dynamics, nobody can say for certain how it would go down. Some people say chickens don't mourn/get sad about a flockmate's passing but I've seen plenty of evidence that they can and do. I've also seen evidence that victims of bullying feel relieved once the bully is gone.

Ok, thanks!

 

[SusiesPeeps]

Ok, thanks!

I agree with TOMTE. We've gone through both deaths and flock integrations with newbies, and both have been difficult. Once one of them dies - regardless of their place in the pecking order or their laying status - the flock has to reorganize and it ain't easy.

 

[SusiesPeeps]

I think I have a similar situation going on. The dominant-hen-until-proven-bully doesn’t lay anymore. Idk why we have her tbh. But would it disrupt the pecking order to get rid of her? Would it make it more peaceful?

I think I have a similar situation going on. The dominant-hen-until-proven-bully doesn’t lay anymore. Idk why we have her tbh. But would it disrupt the pecking order to get rid of her? Would it make it more peaceful?

To Mother of Chaos, I've already put up a board between the runs so to create a block in the sightline between feeders, and I placed one of their whole-grain plates behind the shrub outside. They were confused but so be it. I'm going to try this system out for a bit. I'll keep you posted!