How to stop a hen from “dominating” another hen?

[CheerioTheBuffRooster]

Ever since I had to rehome my rooster my hens haven’t been getting along too great.
One of my RI reds Bella is at the top of the pecking order and often “mounts” one of the ISA browns, Pepper.
I know it’s a dominance thing and Bella is trying to assert her dominance but it is becoming a little troublesome.
Pepper is getting a few feathers pulled out when this happens and a small bald patch is forming on her back.
I don’t want it to get bigger but I don’t know what to do. Do I have to get rid of Bella or is there another way I can prevent this from happening?
Advice is appreciated!!

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

Ever since I had to rehome my rooster my hens haven’t been getting along too great.
One of my RI reds Bella is at the top of the pecking order and often “mounts” one of the ISA browns, Pepper.
I know it’s a dominance thing and Bella is trying to assert her dominance but it is becoming a little troublesome.
Pepper is getting a few feathers pulled out when this happens and a small bald patch is forming on her back.
I don’t want it to get bigger but I don’t know what to do. Do I have to get rid of Bella or is there another way I can prevent this from happening?
Advice is appreciated!!

You could separate her for a while and let Pepper heal and the rest form another pecking order, but if she’s really dominant she’ll probably be back at it again. You could also get/ make Pepper a chicken saddle which should keep her back from getting injured, and hope the dominance thing goes away. Most of the time you just have to wait it out, but I’d recommend using a saddle just to protect her.