I'm at the end of my rope.

[BDutch]

@EmmaDonovan , how are you doing now? Any improvements with the chickens behaviour? Hope your eyesight isn’t worsening .

I have been reading this thread again and there is one thing I like to add about the chickens to all what is said. I don’t know if I missed anything and you already tried. Sorry if it’s not a good idea and of no use.
You say the leghorns behaviour is the worst in the coexistence of your flock. And that your roommate doesn’t want to rehome any of the chickens. Is that a no go even if they get a better place to live?
If you have keep them all, I would build or buy a small coop with run and separate these 2 from the rest. See if things get better after a while. Maybe more space for the others and less bullying really helps.

And I want to share an experience my MIL had. Probably no help but maybe a second opinion can do wonders? My MIL had very bad eyesight and the doctor said it was bc of her rheumatism and the medication she had taken all these years. Nothing to do about it.
But they were wrong. Finally someone had a proper look and discovered it was cataracts. She had an easy operation and could see way better directly after.

Wishing you the best. Hope you give a reaction. But I understand if you don’t like to respond.

 

[SkyAJK]

I saw this photo on facebook the other day..it made me laughed so much and it is exactly what my Plymouth Rock Hen Apple is doing, funny enough someone else Plymouth hen doing is the same thing.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I saw this photo on facebook the other day..it made me laughed so much and it is exactly what my Plymouth Rock Hen Apple is doing, funny enough someone else Plymouth hen doing is the same thing. View attachment 4211124View attachment 4211126

I really, really, REALLY want to know who first flooded the interwebs with the claims that Barred Rocks were calm and quiet and sweet and laid back.

Because, boy howdy.

 

[FrostRanger]

I really, really, REALLY want to know who first flooded the interwebs with the claims that Barred Rocks were calm and quiet and sweet and laid back.

Because, boy howdy.

I figured that given they are often kept with Rhode island reds they can't be *that* laid back

So this is no surprise to me

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I figured that given they are often kept with Rhode island reds they can't be *that* laid back

So this is no surprise to me

Well, ok, maybe when compared to RIRs…

 

[Cloverfluff]

Hmmm, if they are 3 separate groups, maybe put 1 member from each group in at a time and leave them for a while, see if they make new friends. Where they all raised together or different ages? Is it one particular group causing issues? My flock definitely has it's clicks, but for the most part there are no major issues. I did have 2 bully hens; they have found a new home, and it made things much more peaceful.

Be careful with that, the existing groups can gang up on the newbie. I had that issue and even tried a one-to-one introduction in a large run but ended up having to separate her again. The new silkie is housed by herself (partially due to broody reasons), but they mostly ignore each other in a large enough open space. They have been doing better now.

 

[McChooky]

I have 3 barred hens who refuse to have anything to do with any of my other chickens .They have their own coop and run. Years ago they let me rescue an adult black and white silver laced wyandotte and welcomed her to the flock but I suspect it was because she's the same color.They are never far apart and roost side by side

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Be careful with that, the existing groups can gang up on the newbie. I had that issue and even tried a one-to-one introduction in a large run but ended up having to separate her again. The new silkie is housed by herself (partially due to broody reasons), but they mostly ignore each other in a large enough open space. They have been doing better now.

Not sure what you mean... be careful with what? I said to put 1 member from each group together (3 birds, all from different groups) there can be no ganging up if none of them are from the same group. Broody behavior can attract unwanted attention.

 

[McChooky]

I figured that given they are often kept with Rhode island reds they can't be *that* laid back

So this is no surprise to me

Legbar roosters are supposed to be laid back but one of mine would grab my hens by the neck and slam them down on the ground when he wanted to mate them.If they ran he'd chase them down and peck them on the head for running,mate them and peck them again before he walked off.I started to cut his head off but gave him to a guy with 30 Rhode Island hens.They straightened him out fast

 

[kattabelly]

I really, really, REALLY want to know who first flooded the interwebs with the claims that Barred Rocks were calm and quiet and sweet and laid back.

Because, boy howdy.

Mine is the sweetest, calmest girl so far. Even when she wants attention it's not really in a demanding way - she'll sometimes jump up on my shoulder but she's happy to just chill out once she's there, or often she'll just stand in front of me and let me rub her little pullet wattles and groom around her head and neck. She seems to get on with all the other chickens too.

That's been mine and other people I know's experience of them in general too.