Mean chicken what to do.......

[woodenfarm]

Good morning from the wooden farm

I was taking care if my ladies like I do every morning feed and chicken scratch. This morning called for the water change and also the nesting boxes need cleaned.
Anyways, one of my leghorn hens jumped into of another leghorn and had her by the back of the head ripping feathers out. I stopped her but, first time I have noticed this let alone seen it.
She is one that will jump up to try to attack me each time I got the feed scoops or my egg carrier. I don't want her to hurt anymore ladies and it didn't feel or look like pecking order she was just being mean. What should I do?

 

[woodenfarm]

fluffy was ok just needed her loving
(Note she is not sick she has always been one to snuggle 5secs of holding or petting and falls asleep even as a baby chick)

 

[azygous]

What you describe goes well beyond normal pecking order skirmishes. It's behavior meant to dominate as well as punish. Normally the victim learns quickly to avoid the bully, and you wouldn't often see this kind of brutality.

If that's the victim you're holding, she's either very young or under-size. Both are invitations for bullying.

You can try to moderate the bully's behavior by removing them from the flock, either permanently (butchering) or temporarily. The former would solve the problem. The latter might alter the pecking order so upon returning the bully would have her time filled with trying to get back into the pecking order.

You would do well to examine the run, if that's where your chickens spend their days, and look for ways to add more perches for escape, and maybe provide an old chair or table for a victim to retreat to when harassed.

 

[Birdinhand]

I'm seeing some of this unusual behavior with molting season upon me here. it seems that they are reminded that they can eat each others feathers. perhaps thats a factor for you. It's still occasional, so not a big problem at this point but it sure does look like it hurts!

 

[woodenfarm]

What you describe goes well beyond normal pecking order skirmishes. It's behavior meant to dominate as well as punish. Normally the victim learns quickly to avoid the bully, and you wouldn't often see this kind of brutality.

If that's the victim you're holding, she's either very young or under-size. Both are invitations for bullying.

You can try to moderate the bully's behavior by removing them from the flock, either permanently (butchering) or temporarily. The former would solve the problem. The latter might alter the pecking order so upon returning the bully would have her time filled with trying to get back into the pecking order.

You would do well to examine the run, if that's where your chickens spend their days, and look for ways to add more perches for escape, and maybe provide an old chair or table for a victim to retreat to when harassed.

She is the runt has always done very good at avoiding the bully at top pecking order. But, wow this morning was ugly.

We have made one stable their coop with a run outside. I will try to get more stuff for her to get away from the bully and try that first if that doesn't work would it be ok to put the bully in another closed off stable with a nesting box? How long to keep away from the flock ect....

 

[woodenfarm]

I'm seeing some of this unusual behavior with molting season upon me here. it seems that they are reminded that they can eat each others feathers. perhaps thats a factor for you. It's still occasional, so not a big problem at this point but it sure does look like it hurts!

She is 6 months old just started laying an egg every day. We are about to go into fall season. Don't know if that has anything to do with molting or not. None show any signs of molting yet.

 

[azygous]

It sounds like you have plenty of space to work with. The best thing to do when you have a bully is to give the advantages to the victim by giving them ways to avoid the bully. This doesn't interfere with the pecking order, and interfering in the pecking order often causes more problems than it solves.

I would first add those features to the run that will help your petite one to avoid the bully hen. If she continues to be bullied, it may be because she considers herself a victim. Just as with humans, a victim will portray behavior that gets her even more bullied.

Sometimes, and this is contrary to what most will suggest, giving the victim her own protected space within sight of the rest of the flock gives her a "vacation" from bullying and restores her self confidence. I've seen a victimized hen stand up for herself after a vacation of three weeks in a safe pen, roosting with the others at night during that time.

The most often suggested strategy for combating bullying is to segregate the bully out of sight of the flock for a week or two, then returning her to the flock to see what happens.

All are viable options. It's your choice which to try first.

If all else fails, invite the bully to dinner.

 

[Birdinhand]

She is 6 months old just started laying an egg every day. We are about to go into fall season. Don't know if that has anything to do with molting or not. None show any signs of molting yet.

ah right, no, you won't see molting till 1 year. so that's not the issue it seems.

 

[Ellie Hooks]

View attachment 1142620 fluffy was ok just needed her loving
(Note she is not sick she has always been one to snuggle 5secs of holding or petting and falls asleep even as a baby chick)

Awwwwww

 

[perchie.girl]

Good morning from the wooden farm

I was taking care if my ladies like I do every morning feed and chicken scratch. This morning called for the water change and also the nesting boxes need cleaned.
Anyways, one of my leghorn hens jumped into of another leghorn and had her by the back of the head ripping feathers out. I stopped her but, first time I have noticed this let alone seen it.
She is one that will jump up to try to attack me each time I got the feed scoops or my egg carrier. I don't want her to hurt anymore ladies and it didn't feel or look like pecking order she was just being mean. What should I do?

Are you sure shes not a Roo? Roos heading into sexual maturity tend to be aggressive till they figure everything out...

deb