How to raise a bully chick?

[newtoallthis]

Decided on keeping my bully chick that's about 11 weeks old. She has been separated for last 5 or 7 weeks... I don't remember. Have tried everything that's been recommended and read about online. Have decided to build her her own separate coop and run as she can not be intergrated back into the existing flock. Anywho, here's my question: Can/should we buy her a friend? If so a younger one (of same breed) that will learn she's boss and leave her alone? OR one that's older (of same breed) that will put her in her place (or will they just fight to death?) OR just keep her coop and run next to others so they all see and hear each other? But that drives her crazy when they go inside their coop and she just lays down all by herself sad like? What to do to resolve the situation without culling her or making her someone else's problem. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you! 8)

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would grab a chicken out of your flock to put with her. Then I'd wait two weeks until they become buddies. Then I would integrate both of them back into the flock.

 

[newtoallthis]

Thank you for the advice ChickensAreSweet! But, I can't do that. The flock is 2 silkies and 1 lf rir. The rir and one silk run with fear and try so hard to escape because she beats them up so bad and pulls feathers blah blah n so forth. My 1 silk will stand and fight as she is head hen of flock. Problem is the fighting doesn't stop and I'm afraid with silks soft spot on head she has the disadvantage so I won't let the fight continue for fear of death or serious injury.... Ahh, what to do???

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Thank you for the advice ChickensAreSweet! But, I can't do that. The flock is 2 silkies and 1 lf rir. The rir and one silk run with fear and try so hard to escape because she beats them up so bad and pulls feathers blah blah n so forth. My 1 silk will stand and fight as she is head hen of flock. Problem is the fighting doesn't stop and I'm afraid with silks soft spot on head she has the disadvantage so I won't let the fight continue for fear of death or serious injury.... Ahh, what to do???

Oh I see!

Yes I like to keep my silkies separate when I have them. I don't have any at the moment.

I raised some RIR with my silkies from chicks though and they turned aggressive...keep an eye out for your RIR too!

I hope you can find a solution.

 

[newtoallthis]

So the feed store was wrong and infact me girl is a boy. Crowing, hackle feathers and all (Makes me wonder about their reputation for being so sure but whatever.... C'est-la-vie). He still can't be mainstreamed and except for keeping him separate I don't know what else to do? However,.... just thought I'd update! Thanks! 8)

 

[Folly's place]

One lone chicken is never good, as they need a flock situation to be content. Some breeds tend to have quieter, more docile individuals, and some breeds are just more aggressive. Think Silkies vs. RIRs. Cockrels are going to be driven by their hormones also. Feed stores in our area at least, get chicks from a hatchery that does a poor job of sexing the day-olds. Often cockrels turn up in batches of pullets. Better if they just sold straight run chicks; much more truthful. Mary