Managing aggressive hen

[Raubkatze]

I have a hen that is currently in solitary due to repeatedly attacking my pullets. They have been together for months now, and she continues to be extremely aggressive towards them at bedtime. She works herself up to the point of overheating, and is injuring the pullets as well. I thought I had things sorted with a re-arranging of the roosts, but last night she was actually making the pullets scream. I have never heard a chicken scream before. My emergency option last night was to put her in a cat carrier to get her away from everybody. I worry that she will overheat during the day in such a small space. Does she need to be completely out of sight out of mind for everybody to re-arrange the pecking order before I give her one last shot at being part of the flock? Or can I put her in the run (where everybody can see her) while everyone else goes out to free range?

 

[DobieLover]

I have never heard a chicken scream before.

I hear chickens scream nightly. It doesn't always mean bullying.

Or can I put her in the run

You can put her in the run.

Was this hen a lower ranking flock member before you integrated the pullets?

And the standard questions: how much space do you have in the coop, how many linear feet of roost space do you have in the coop, how large is your run and how much stuff is in it? Can you please post pictures?

If all else fails you can try pinless peepers. Look them up on Amazon. It wouldn't hurt to just buy a set. That way you have them if you need them. And if they don't work, it's time to think about rehoming her.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I hear chickens scream nightly. It doesn't always mean bullying.

You can put her in the run.

Was this hen a lower ranking flock member before you integrated the pullets?

And the standard questions: how much space do you have in the coop, how many linear feet of roost space do you have in the coop, how large is your run and how much stuff is in it? Can you please post pictures?

If all else fails you can try pinless peepers. Look them up on Amazon. It wouldn't hurt to just buy a set. That way you have them if you need them. And if they don't work, it's time to think about rehoming her.

And from your comment in this thread, another question. How old are those pullets? Have the pullets started laying yet?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-won’t-leave-the-coop.1673623/#post-28763790

These are standard problems, that's why we have standard questions, to help us know better how to respond.

 

[thecatumbrella]

You already got top-tier advice, but I'll add my 2 cents.

I just dealt with a pullet like this over the summer. She was already an anxious bird, and her decision to beat up on a brooder-mate completely dominated her personality. Puffed up like a tom turkey, overheated herself, and spent 95% of her time stalking her victim.

We separated her next to the flock for one week. I was also worried about keeping her cool outside the main pen, so we made sure she was shaded, gave her a Ryobi clip fan, and kept the water cool(ish).

Finally, the day came to open the door and allow her back into the main pen. She'd been doing very well interacting with them through the mesh, so we had high hopes. She immediately started pecking EVERYONE and incited a mob. Rehomed her two days later. If I hadn't found her a home, I would have humanely culled her.

Best of luck getting this sorted, but if you decide she's just a bad fit for the flock, don't feel bad doing what you have to do. My former bully is living her best life with her new flock, and my flock's happier without her.

 

[D1N0]

I have a hen that is currently in solitary due to repeatedly attacking my pullets. They have been together for months now, and she continues to be extremely aggressive towards them at bedtime. She works herself up to the point of overheating, and is injuring the pullets as well. I thought I had things sorted with a re-arranging of the roosts, but last night she was actually making the pullets scream. I have never heard a chicken scream before. My emergency option last night was to put her in a cat carrier to get her away from everybody. I worry that she will overheat during the day in such a small space. Does she need to be completely out of sight out of mind for everybody to re-arrange the pecking order before I give her one last shot at being part of the flock? Or can I put her in the run (where everybody can see her) while everyone else goes out to free range?

My lavender orpingtons where like that with some of my old teen chicks but, they where on the other side of a fence in the run. And after a while they stopped picking on them.(well in tell they broke in and the younger fought back)