Major behavior issues within flock (lots of fighting)

[McChooky]

I agree wholeheartedly.They need a proper coop with roosting bars instead of shelves.It would help to lay horse pellet's down on the floor. It absorbs moisture and cuts down on odors too. I didn't see any ventilation which is very important. When keeping multiple flocks in the same coop it helps to have separate roosting bars

 

[azygous]

Having an automatic chicken door is a big help. Set it to open at a certain time, and you won't need to run outside to let them out of the shed.

 

[Bawkbok]

I couldn't agree more - installing an auto door is a huge improvement to everyone's life - the chickens and yours. Set the time to open at day break and to close at dusk. You won't have to worry about them getting locked in or out or you being home to let them out or remembering, etc.

 

[Lyris]

The reason they're in the shed is a bit complex, but the gist of it is I never planned on having chickens. They're all unintentional rescues, even the ones from the chicken show. (Although I didn't know it at the time) I had a coop, but raccoons got into it and they preferred to hangout in the shed anyway. I don't know if I'm going to be moving soon or not, but if not I plan on taking out the shelves and replacing with roosting bars. I rent so I can't do many major changes. I'm currently in the talks with my landlord about putting a screen door in so they get a bit of air. I always get up for work right around sunrise time so I'm usually waiting around for enough light to let them out. It's one of the plus sides of my job. I tend to get home right around the time they go to bed or before so I can tuck them away. It's weirdly important to me that I do that.

I know that flocks and sub flocks will always tussle, but one of them is literally terrified of the bully hens and will go running away at full speed when she's near. She will hide behind my trash can where the bully hens can't see her and won't come out. They're also now terrified of my rooster. He cleared all the hens off the porch so he could eat all the treats himself. Which... Isn't great. My core group of girls are fighting among themselves and they're usually thick as thieves. Plus there's the whole cat issue. I just want them to be able to co-exist again without trying to maim each other. If that means changing the shed I can see what I can do this weekend for the little monsters.

 

[Mrs. K]

Pin less peepers

 

[EmmaDonovan]

One of them has taught herself to use the cat door and lets herself inside to eat my cockatiel food. She also only lays eggs in my dryer or in a frying pan.

That's pretty funny!

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. I sympathize. Our flock grew up together and still can't get along. It's heart breaking. I don't have anything to add to the good advice you've already gotten, just a hug.

Edit: my chickens like toys that involve food, especially these:

Maybe try something like that?

 

[Bawkbok]

That's cool. We have the same hanging treat dispenser thingy and our girls freak out by it so it's in the garage with all the other chicken things I've collected over time.

 

[McChooky]

Remedies are possibly a change in diet, toys ,giving them more roosting bars, adding ventilation, separating or rehoming the worst offenders or putting painless peppers on them (its possible bullying was a habit they learned before you got them)Bullying is hard to stop

 

[Bawkbok]

painless peppers

I know you meant painless peepers but I found this funny. Thanks for the laugh.

 

[azygous]

It's actually "pinless peepers". Originally, the peepers were metal and a pin was inserted all the way through the nares to secure them in place. Now peepers are made of flexible plastic with prongs that fit into each nare hole to secure them, and easier to install and remove.

A word on these pinless peepers. While they can be a great boon in combating bullying, they are not meant to be worn indefinitely. They can cause irritation that can result in calluses that can grow and obstruct the nares, decreasing air flow. I have such a hen, and she labors to get air through her nares.

Due to this unfortunate side effect of pinless peepers, I only let a hen wear them for a couple of months, then I remove them.