Hens fighting, flock disruption

[Emma1231]

hello all!

I have a very small flock of just two now. There were four and they all grew up together. One unfortunately randomly died for unknown causes(at almost one yr old). And then the one who was lowest on the pecking order (gold laced Wyandotte) decided to start pecking and bullying her way to the top. It didn’t stop, so we decided to rehome her to a larger flock, and things were working out great for months.

Then one day we notice lily had some feathers moved around on the top of her head like she had slept funny and they stuck. And then a day or two later they just started squabbling a lot. Now it’s gotten to full blown, tallons out, feather flying fighting. They are also starting to molt at this time. Which is pretty late it seems.

They have always been close and I don’t think ever fought in the past. Lily is about 3 weeks older then Penelope so when they were young lily was established as the alpha. Penelope was the betta when we had the four hens. That has been the pecking order since they grew up. They are both Easter eggers and have always been so docile.

We tried putting them in at night. And either Penelope (known betta) would peck at lily, OR in the morning we would find Lily (known alpha) standing over Penelope like she would attack her if she moved.
So we have gone to separating then just about all the time. Sometimes they will be okay free ranging together but Lily is still tormented by Penelope. We want our happy flock back! We tried a couple times to let them “duke it out” but it didn’t seems to help much and they were losing lots of feathers.

Does molting making chickens more moody ?
What’s the best way to get them to stop fighting?
If we add two more chickens would that help separate the aggression?
Or would it just stress them out more ?

 

[chickens really]

Molt could be a reason?...Nutrition, change in flock dynamics.
Adding more Birds is not the answer..I would try changing the feed to 18% protein and cut out treats to only once a week...
Best of luck...

 

[aart]

Does molting making chickens more moody ?
What’s the best way to get them to stop fighting?
If we add two more chickens would that help separate the aggression?

Yes.
Maybe.
Adding more birds is tricky,
but if you have lots of space it might help break up the duet battlers.

How much space do they have, coop and run in feet by feet?
What and how exactly are you feeding?

 

[Emma1231]

I think it may have started with molting season. The beta Penelope had an easier time molting, and the alpha Lily was going though a pretty hard molt.
They have been getting along a kinda better, but we haven't been letting them out together very often either. Maybe once a week.
But it seems that Penelope, the beta, is basically bullying Lily the alpha, and kicks her out of wherever she is.
I want lily to be the alpha, she is a kind and forgiving chicken who only gets (and very slightly) aggressive when other chickens are fighting and it's to break it up.
We figure if we get two more chickens, they'll be too preoccupied with the new chickens to be messing with each other.
We have a 5 chicken coup from wilco. It has three nest boxes and we got the attachable run that comes with it. We would let them free range in the yard which is a decent size. (They haven't been wanting to come out really at all lately). The coup isn't too huge or anything but we originally had four chickens in there and everything was going great until one randomly and very sadly died. But we are hoping to have four again. So adding two to the current two would be great. Just want to make sure it's not a bad time to do it since the current two are both trying to be on the top of the pecking orders

They have also been getting lots of protein and calcium. Yet still arent laying after their molt. Penelope is pretty much recovered and lily is almost there. Could it be stress from not really being in a flock ?

Thank you for your replies!

 

[aart]

5 chicken coup from wilco

Something like this?
http://www.precisionpet.com/detail.aspx?ID=281
Just barely big enough for 3 maybe 4 adult birds....might be part of the problem.

We figure if we get two more chickens, they'll be too preoccupied with the new chickens to be messing with each other.

Yep, they'll band together to beat up the new birds.
Integrating new birds needs extra and separate but adjacent space.

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock