Mean Big Sister Hen

[chixelandpixel]

I just added five 6 month old cochin bantam chicks to the larger pen with my bantam OEG hen who is 4 years old. She immediately began thrashing the daylights out of all of them.... is she just setting up "pecking order" or should i keep them separated. Currently the OEGB is in time out in a separate cage for lack of space for the five. Help me out please.

 

[Mahonri]

It's the pecking order thing, but games are noted for fighting.

I'd keep her close, but separated for a bit.

 

[chixelandpixel]

Okay, thanks. I put her in a 3x3x2 ft approx. dog kennel pen with feed and water of her own inside the larger pen. close but the others dont have to get close enough unless they want to. (As she is spoiled rotten from being a single chick for the past 3 months i also gave her a small scolding and told her to deal with it.) Currently the five are in a heap on one end of the pen, and Chixel is in her smaller pen pouting up a grouchy storm. thanks again,

and heres hoping they get along better tomorrow.


ETA: and shes inside the larger pen because its more pest proof than out in the open in a dog kennel pen/cage