Hens are getting beat up. Help?

[CHlCK3N]

It's probably just the pecking order. You could separate the aggressive ones from the others for a while. That should help.

I have nowhere to put the bullies at. Any other suggestions?

 

[R1V3R20NG]

You might need a slightly more aggressive rooster, but not too aggressive. Ours doesn't hurt the hens but stops their fighting by taking them on. Now fights are extremely rare but short.

 

[CHlCK3N]

Ah, okay. I have an older roo that is slightly aggressive, but doesn't mess with the hens. Is there any way I can get a rooster a bit more aggressive?

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

I had two bullies that left 2 others with bald backs and half their fluff gone. Bright red skin. I tried stop pick and moments after I applied it the picking started again. So I picked the bullies up, put them in the run, closed the pop door and made them spend the night outside. 2 nights of that and the picking stopped.

 

[CHlCK3N]

That's something I'd have to think about! However, I don't necessarily know how to get the bullies out in the run without some of my smaller hens or roos trying to go out with them.
But I also risk having my fingers getting pecked and torn at if I try to pick up the bullies. I have considered getting rid of the few bullies, but they valuable, emotionally and physically.

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

That's something I'd have to think about! However, I don't necessarily know how to get the bullies out in the run without some of my smaller hens or roos trying to go out with them.
But I also risk having my fingers getting pecked and torn at if I try to pick up the bullies. I have considered getting rid of the few bullies, but they valuable, emotionally and physically.

I did it once they were roosting. Just hold them tucked in your arm like a football with their heads facing away from you and you might be ok.

 

[aart]

More info please,
your flock size(numbers, ages, genders),
your coop(size in feet by feet with pics),
and what and how exactly you are feeding,
might offer clues to if there is a solvable problem.

 

[CHlCK3N]

I have 13 hens that are the age of 2 years, one rooster that is probably a little older, and another rooster that is about 10 months old.
I can't say I know what feed I'm giving them, all I know is that it isn't layer feed. I feed them from this metal container. It hooks onto the wall, and it has about 5 places where the chickens can feed from.
I don't think I am able to get pictures, but I do believe it's 10' by 15' not including the run. They are let out on weekends, and put back up on Sunday night. We have no predators roaming around besides a possible skunk.

 

[aart]

I can't say I know what feed I'm giving them, all I know is that it isn't layer feed. I feed them from this metal container.

When you buy the feed to put in the metal feeder, does it not have a tag on it?
It's pretty important to know what the feed is.
Are you located in the USA?

I do believe it's 10' by 15' not including the run. They are let out on weekends, and put back up on Sunday night.

That's plenty big, if you actually measured it.
Curious about the out on weekends and put up on sunday night.
Are they kept in the coop and run all week....or just the coop....or...??
Do you live where you birds live and tend to them daily?

 

[bobbi-j]

That's something I'd have to think about! However, I don't necessarily know how to get the bullies out in the run without some of my smaller hens or roos trying to go out with them.
But I also risk having my fingers getting pecked and torn at if I try to pick up the bullies. I have considered getting rid of the few bullies, but they valuable, emotionally and physically.

In my opinion, any chicken that causes stress or damage to the rest of the flock has decreased its value. Think about the rest of your flock for a minute. They are continually being picked at and bullied. Is their value less than that of the bullies? If you can't separate the bullies, you may want to think about culling them from your flock. ("Culling" does not mean "killing". It simply means to remove from the flock.) If you don't, your egg production could decrease due to the stress inflicted by the bullies. It means your other chickens will continually be living in fear and stress due to being picked on. It is your flock and your choice, but if it were mine, the bullies would be separated or put in the freezer.

If you do decide to catch and separate the bullies, you can either take them off the roost at night or catch them with a fishing net. (If you don't have one, maybe you know someone who would loan you one?)