I need a little help and advice

[HennyJenny]

I have a had a true learner's year with chickens. I've lost an entire flock and I'm down to two that I have grown fairly attached to. My top hen started picking when I had a little hen that I rescued. She ultimately chased that hen out of the coop and a dog got it. It's down to just her and her sister and she is slowly pulling every single feather out of that poor creature. If I separate them - someone is going to be alone. If I cull her - her sister is going to be alone. I have various and asundry chicks and eggs coming this spring. My instinct is to cull my top hen before I put the chicks outside when they are big enough and hope poor Blondie can make it until then. Mind you - other than the stewpot, separation, and pinless peepers (which I am going to order right now) I have tried every picking remedy known in the last two and half months. Since she's now picking on her sister - I am thinking it's a compulsion and agression than I am just not going to be able to stop and if I introduce her to a bunch of other chickens - she is just going to show them how amusing it is and de-feather if not kill an entire flock in the process. Poor Blondie looks totally mangy all over and her bottom under her tail feathers and vent is bare. I am at my wit's end dealing with this bird - at this point I'm not even certain Blondie would be better off alone. Unless someone has a new picking remedy - what I am really looking for here is for someone to confirm my thought that this bird shouldn't be moved into my new flock (where I would assumed due to her size and agression she would be the top hen for awhile as well.)

 

[paddock36]

Have you tried separating the top hen for just a couple of days and then re-introduce her back? That should lower standing in your small flock.

 

[HennyJenny]

I haven't tried it because I only have two. It isn't two by design but since I lost the odd girl out last week - it hasn't seemed prudent to stick more in there. It is supposed to be stupidly cold here for next two days - but later in the week when it's warmer I could conceivably separate them if it would do any good with just two. I honestly like this bird but she desperately needs someone to put her in her place. I ordered some pinless peepers just now also - maybe that will curb her problem. Thank you!

 

[Keri78]

I might try adding a nice friendly roo(think craigslist or on here!)...a good boy will help keep her bossy butt in line and not allow her to toture anyone else! Plus he could be a huge help in keeping your new flock safe! Just a thought??? Roos do serve their purpose...HTH..Keri

 

[mdbokc]

It took consecutive 5 days in "jail" to knock the wind out of the sails of my aggressive hen. I would not count on 2 days to make any difference. Two didn't even slow mine down. If you do the jail thing, I would give extra attention to the pecked sister while the bully is away.

 

[HennyJenny]

Quote:
Thank you! I'm inclined to bring the pecked sister inside but that really just leaves the agressive one as the ruler of the roost - I will bring the agressive one out for five days at least and when she goes back she will be pinless peepered.

 

[HennyJenny]

Quote:
Keri - I like that thought but by the time he finished quarantine the new chicks would be here - I would have my hands full integrating a new bird more than I should take on considering how much trouble I had with my little rescue bird. I purposely order a cockeral in my spring order - and I expect I'll hatch more. Maybe that's her trouble - she "needs" a roo

 

[chickenannie]

One thing you might do is make sure you're feeding them enough protein.

Another thing you might try is putting them out in a run, or letting them free-range, if you can. I think this sort of pecking order fighting is much worse if the hens are confined all the time and having no other activities. Also, some folks have hung a cabbage on a string for them to peck at for a few days, or a mesh bag of leafy green treats -- or anything that gives them something else to do besides fight with each other.

Other than that, in my experience there will ALWAYS be a bossy hen. If you take this hen away, another will take it's place. That's just how chickens are. My most timid, bottom of the flock hen, is now the top hen and is mighty mean to the others (if they let her) even though she used to get picked on when she was younger. Luckily my bossy hen does nothing like the severe problem you mentioned. I think it's because they all free-range.

 

[HennyJenny]

They have a nice sized run - I have never locked them in the coop except for a few days when we hit -10 and protein was one of the first things I tried and have continued. Free ranging is how the rest of my flock was wiped out by neighborhood dogs - they have a hanging cabbage - this girl is just compulsively picking.

But you are right in pointing out that another will just take her place. I need to remember that. I'm afraid the hardest part of chickens (other than losing them to predators) for me has been the pecking order business. You are absolutely right though - I like this hen and she wasn't always like this - so maybe a few days in jail and some pinless peepers will make her forget the joy of picking and she will go back to being a good and benevolent ruler

A girl can always hope!