Phantom_k9
Songster
Hello all,
So let me paint a picture for yall. We used to have 2 roosters and only 2 hens that would free range. Recently, we have taken on 6 chicks (about 6-7 months old), and we have gotten rid of one of our roos (the beta). Also, in light of a hawk attack / hawk migration, our flock is remaining in their coop for the majority of the day. Needless to say the flock has gone through a lot of big changes recently.
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As of late, our Rhode Island Red hen has gotten a lot more mean. She never misses an opportunity to rip feathers out of the chicks when she isn't either eating or drinking. In fact, I am so afraid that she could actually kill one of our 2 youngest chicks as well as our other hen that I've separated her (and our roo) from the rest of the flock.. Before any one tells me it is just the pecking order, I don't believe that to be so. Unless I am mistaken (which I probably am), pecking order gets established early on when integrating members to the flock. She has gotten mean with established members of the flock, and has yet to really let up. She has even pecked my little sister!
-
Yes, I know that Reds are quite aggressive. However, she is a more loved member of the flock (and our best producer), and we don't want to get rid of her. Is my only option really just to keep the flock separated? Thanks in advance for the help!
So let me paint a picture for yall. We used to have 2 roosters and only 2 hens that would free range. Recently, we have taken on 6 chicks (about 6-7 months old), and we have gotten rid of one of our roos (the beta). Also, in light of a hawk attack / hawk migration, our flock is remaining in their coop for the majority of the day. Needless to say the flock has gone through a lot of big changes recently.
-
As of late, our Rhode Island Red hen has gotten a lot more mean. She never misses an opportunity to rip feathers out of the chicks when she isn't either eating or drinking. In fact, I am so afraid that she could actually kill one of our 2 youngest chicks as well as our other hen that I've separated her (and our roo) from the rest of the flock.. Before any one tells me it is just the pecking order, I don't believe that to be so. Unless I am mistaken (which I probably am), pecking order gets established early on when integrating members to the flock. She has gotten mean with established members of the flock, and has yet to really let up. She has even pecked my little sister!
-
Yes, I know that Reds are quite aggressive. However, she is a more loved member of the flock (and our best producer), and we don't want to get rid of her. Is my only option really just to keep the flock separated? Thanks in advance for the help!
