Keep the bullies entertained and the victims safe

[Annalyse]

I have a flock of 7: 1 rooster, 6 hens, out of the flock I have 1 silkie in a standard flock. These are my first chickens and i really dont want to rehome any. But since my silkie is at the bottom of the pecking order she gets bullied. It used to just be picking on her and now there grabbing her head feathers. (Not pulling them off but itll soon happen) we've added stuff in there so she cant just get away from the group if she wants to. No matter how much they bully her she hates being away from them. The one shes afraid of is my starlight green egger. I would say shes second to last in the pecking order and my silkie hates being around her. I try my best to keep her safe. Is there any way I can entertain the bullys and keep them from picking on her? What should I add in the coop for silkie to ig hide idk. I have 2 feeders and 2 waterers different ends of the coop but they like to follow/chase her for a second and than walk away.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally would separate out the silkie and get some more bantams for company. Some bantam breeds can hold their own in a mixed flock, but silkies are not one of them. Bigger birds can easily kill a single silkie. Being constantly chased and harassed is stressful and can leave birds vulnerable to diseases.

How big is your set up? Chickens under confinement need lots of room to move, run, fly, flap, and dig about in the soil. What breeds? Some are more aggressive than others.

You can add things for birds to get up on, and under. Tables, chairs, pallets on bricks, branches. You can toss in piles of dirt, kitchen scraps, pulled weeds from the garden to give birds stuff to pick through.

 

[Annalyse]

I personally would separate out the silkie and get some more bantams for company. Some bantam breeds can hold their own in a mixed flock, but silkies are not one of them. Bigger birds can easily kill a single silkie. Being constantly chased and harassed is stressful and can leave birds vulnerable to diseases.

How big is your set up? Chickens under confinement need lots of room to move, run, fly, flap, and dig about in the soil. What breeds? Some are more aggressive than others.

You can add things for birds to get up on, and under. Tables, chairs, pallets on bricks, branches. You can toss in piles of dirt, kitchen scraps, pulled weeds from the garden to give birds stuff to pick through.

We were thinking of getting her a sperate thing and more silkies. If I mix the silkies with the tlick than I'd risk getting them bullied too. But were barely allowed to have 7 chickens now and I dont want to add more and risk having to get rid if them ya know?

There set up is a good size. Lots of dirt, they have giant branches they perch on and off the ground. They have a straw bake they use alot. The breeds we have are swedish flower rooster, buff orpington, 2 Plymouth, Australorp, starlight green egger and silkie.

 

[Aunt Angus]

My 2 Silkies do just fine with my flock of 13. They are not even bottom of the pecking order (my Welsummer is). However, I do have another Silkie and a bantam rooster. That may make a difference.

Do you know which chicken is the instigator/biggest offender? If you can narrow down that info, you can try separating the #1 bully for a few days to reset the pecking order.

 

[aart]

I would remove the bully.
Did the silkie grow up with the other birds or was she added later?
How old are all the birds?

 

[Annalyse]

My 2 Silkies do just fine with my flock of 13. They are not even bottom of the pecking order (my Welsummer is). However, I do have another Silkie and a bantam rooster. That may make a difference.
View attachment 3030403

Do you know which chicken is the instigator/biggest offender? If you can narrow down that info, you can try separating the #1 bully for a few days to reset the pecking order.

I was thinking that but I have no where to separate her and how to do it either. I personally dont think itll work bc silkie is at the bottom pecking order so when the bully comes back they'd just go back to doing everything. And what if the bully stoos but then goes back to pecking on her would I have to being her out again?

 

[Annalyse]

I would remove the bully.
Did the silkie grow up with the other birds or was she added later?
How old are all the birds?

Yes the silkie grew up with them when they were chicks. They turned 2 in March

 

[Annalyse]

We are looking at adding a separate thing for her. The picture is the area where we would put it. It's right next to the coop/run. Should I do this? The coop wouldn't be taller than the fence and then I'll just give her 2 silkie chicks when she goes broody.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think @aart gave you good advice. When you remove the bully for a few days, she loses her position in the pecking order. At the same time the victim gets some relief and climbs up the social ladder, gaining confidence. Then when you put the bully back, she often is no longer the bully. If she does try to bully, remove her again for a few days. We put ours in a wire dog crate so she could still see and be seen. And we had to do it three times, three days each time. But she finally got her "attitude adjustment" and never bullied again.

 

[Annalyse]

I think @aart gave you good advice. When you remove the bully for a few days, she loses her position in the pecking order. At the same time the victim gets some relief and climbs up the social ladder, gaining confidence. Then when you put the bully back, she often is no longer the bully. If she does try to bully, remove her again for a few days. We put ours in a wire dog crate so she could still see and be seen. And we had to do it three times, three days each time. But she finally got her "attitude adjustment" and never bullied again.

Would I put the dog crate in the run? Do I let her out sometimes or just keep her in there all day? Do I let her roost with them or just place the crate in the coop?