I HATE BULLIES!! HELP ME!!!

[Eggcessive]

Hi, I'm new to BYC Forum. I have the same problem and was wondering if it was related to the breed of the bird? I have 4 Austalorps, 6 Red Comets (which I think are a prouduction bird) and 3 EEGs. The Lorps are big enough to hold their own, but do have a few small bald spots. The Comets are very aggresive and have most their tails are striped. The Little EEGs are being stripped by both the other breed. I have tried everything and am sure wintertime boredom is the problem but can't seem to get the right combination. Do you think trading out the RCs would help?

Feather picking can become a habit. Three reasons they do it are a lack of protein from feeding less than 16% or too many treats or scratch, too little room when locked up in a coop and run, and not enough to do creating boredom. I would try some 20% all flock raiser type feed or 24% gamebird feed for a little while. Then I would place some things for them to climb on and explore--roosts, big rocks, tree stumps, a large piece of sod, and a nice dust bathing bin filled with sand, dirt, and a little wood ash. And make more room--sometimes that means re-homing birds. Be very careful mixing new birds together, and PLEASE quarantine all newbies for at least 30 days to make sure they are not sick.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Thanks. This illness seems very scary from the web site u sent me 'BeeKissed'. I moved the ill chicken away from my other hens. I am hoping she will be ok and I have put some antibiotic in her water. I am getting her checked tomorrow. Thank you very much

God Bless.

Couple of comments. You've only had these birds a couple of days, nowhere near long enough for them to try to integrate into your existing flock without major issues. New birds first need to be quarantined for a good 30 days well away from your existing flock, and just for this reason, that hopefully any illness they are carrying will present itself during that time. If this bird has been penned alongside your other birds and has free ranged with them then they have all been exposed already to whatever she has. They may come down with it, they may not, time will tell.

For future integration of new birds...after quarantine, fence off part of the run for them so the other birds can get used to seeing them every day but not attack them. This works well if done for a couple weeks or more. It really cuts down on the aggression. There will still be pecking order scuffles but much less brutal. Letting newbies sleep in the coop in a wire dog crate helps also since allowing new birds into the coop at night is often a big issue as well.

Good luck with your birds.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Hi, I'm new to BYC Forum. I have the same problem and was wondering if it was related to the breed of the bird? I have 4 Austalorps, 6 Red Comets (which I think are a prouduction bird) and 3 EEGs. The Lorps are big enough to hold their own, but do have a few small bald spots. The Comets are very aggresive and have most their tails are striped. The Little EEGs are being stripped by both the other breed. I have tried everything and am sure wintertime boredom is the problem but can't seem to get the right combination. Do you think trading out the RCs would help?

Welcome to BYC! You might want to start your own thread so that we don't highjack Chicken-Man's thread. Lot's of folks here who can help you figure it out.

 

[Chicken-Man]

Hi, I'm new to BYC Forum. I have the same problem and was wondering if it was related to the breed of the bird? I have 4 Austalorps, 6 Red Comets (which I think are a prouduction bird) and 3 EEGs. The Lorps are big enough to hold their own, but do have a few small bald spots. The Comets are very aggresive and have most their tails are striped. The Little EEGs are being stripped by both the other breed. I have tried everything and am sure wintertime boredom is the problem but can't seem to get the right combination. Do you think trading out the RCs would help?

If you are attached to your golden I congratulate u for even thinking it if its best for the bird. But they are fantastic egg layers and if you have chooks for eggs they are great for the job. The old birds will bully no matter what, but what I have found my self doing is when I see one of my girls being a bully I flick or smack them and yell "NO!" so fare all this has done is they know not to do it when I am there. Apparently "Punishment" is what chickens like. Of cause they wont like being smacked on the back. Find something for the new chooks to live in for 3 weeks or so but enough for the older ones too see them at all times (or at least most) and still let them in the roaming area with the older ones but keep an eye out for them. I hope I have answers the question. Not sure if u had the same problem with the bullying or what... Let me know.

 

[Chicken-Man]

Agreed. The pecking is normal chicken behavior - big chickens peck at new or smaller chickens. The upper respiratory symptoms scare me. You may very well have exposed your entire flock . Always quarantine new birds.

When I got them they were vaccinated. all my hens are to my intention. My sick hen is recovering and none of my other hens shoe any symptoms of illness. Is this illness deadly?? if t gets bad enough.?

 

[Cedars Girls]

Thank You Chicken Man and Cafarmgirl. Sound advice. From what you said it might be too many treats. When our MD weather got cold and took a few dips I stepped up the treats The pecking increased then. I'll let you know if it helps.

 

[Chicken-Man]

Thank You Chicken Man and Cafarmgirl. Sound advice. From what you said it might be too many treats. When our MD weather got cold and took a few dips I stepped up the treats The pecking increased then. I'll let you know if it helps.

what do you mean by this?