Mean chickens

[Georgeschicks]

Hello!
I have six hens, 2 Easter egged, 1 BCM, 1 Delaware and 2 austtolorps. The austrolorps are about 5 months younger than the other who are about a year old. They all lay regularly. One of the austrolorps who is the smallest in the flock is often picked on by the other flock members and today I saw her and one of the others outright fighting. She has a little bald patch on her head from the pecking but no bleeding yet. What should I do? I am very worried about her.

 

[RWise]

As long as there is no real damage, I let them figure out their place in the flock. Maybe the lower ranked girl thinks she has grown and is trying for a higher rank in the flock.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

As long as there is no real damage, I let them figure out their place in the flock. Maybe the lower ranked girl thinks she has grown and is trying for a higher rank in the flock.

I agree. It sounds like normal pecking order.

Other things to look into would be how much room each bird has in coop and run. When it comes to chickens, more is better in terms of space.