My flock comprises of a Roo (Pintu aka Sultan), Black (Alpha hen), Sparrow (bantam game hen), and Pauline (Sparrow's sister). Earlier in January, Sparrow started laying eggs and she was only 5 months, and after about 12 eggs she went broody. For 2 weeks she stole eggs from Black and Pauline and lay on them. So I bought 2 chicks (Peaches and Cuba) and introduced them to her. She accepted them. Now my problem is with the flock pecking order. Sparrow and Pauline were very close friends and that was until she had her babies, she beat the living hell outta her after becoming a Momma. Now Black is entirely another story, she is still the Boss. She harasses the chicks and Sparrow, now how do I demote her Alpha hen status. BTW, Black is a breed that never goes broody, one more reason why Sparrow should be the Queen Bee. I have heard separating helps. Do you guys have any other suggestions? Please no flame baits! Have a good day ya'll.
Remove Black for a week, out of sight and hearing of the rest. When she returns, hopefully she will then be at the bottom of the pecking order. I think they will have to decide who is then at the top.
Just give them lots of space to get away from each other and they will be fine. When the chick mature they will all have to work their way into the pecking order. You can't change the pecking order - its the way nature works - the toughest at the top. If you took out Black and adder her later - she would just fight back up the ranks - and cause a lot of fuss doing it. If the problem is Black is beating up on the other hens and chicks then you may need to re home her. But once a new chicken take top place - they will become just a bossy as black was - and they will in turn harass all the hens below them. The key is SPACE. Cramped conditions will lead to fighting and stress.
Thank you guys!! Black isn't a very smart hen, she is alpha because she is the oldest. She is relatively mellow compared to what Sparrow and Pauline are capable of. I'll separate Black from the flock for a week.
