Mean hen...consequences?

[Kaesi2020]

Hi all, I have a mean hen all of a sudden. I have six 10 week old hens. Up till now, no behavioral issues. My black easter egger has been going after my red sex link...striking at her neck and pulling out feathers. No blood drawn or anything but many feathers pulled and I'm worried about it escalating. I put the black hen in a time out alone in the coop till I consult some experts. Any suggestions for consequences or how to prevent this behavior? Thank you!!

Other details: happened during free range time, temps are mid 90s. Food and water available. Ate mealworms and yogurt as snack earlier. Grit and scratch on ground in area.

 

[keesmom]

Can you post a picture of the aggressor? Are you sure it's a pullet?

 

[Kaesi2020]

Can you post a picture of the aggressor? Are you sure it's a pullet?

Its thr black one with the reddish neck. She was pecking the feathers out of the red sex link next to her around the neck area.

 

[Chickeng1rl567]

When does this usually happen? Often there are scuffles relating to food, going up to the roost, etc.

 

[Mrs. K]

How much space do you have? What size is the coop? This is a very common age for aggression to over crowding to start to appear. Sometimes people think you can cheat on coop space if they free range them for a few hours, but you really can't.

However, all that and the above posts to consider - sometimes there are just birds that do not work in a certain flock. Always solve for peace in the flock.

MRs K

 

[Kaesi2020]

How much space do you have? What size is the coop? This is a very common age for aggression to over crowding to start to appear. Sometimes people think you can cheat on coop space if they free range them for a few hours, but you really can't.

However, all that and the above posts to consider - sometimes there are just birds that do not work in a certain flock. Always solve for peace in the flock.

MRs K

Hi! We have a coop on the smaller side, 4 ft. Per bird. We could keep the run open permanently to them although I've been reading about raccoons ripping through hardware cloth so I'm leary (our run is covered and made from wood and hardware cloth). They free range for 6-7 hours per day on average now that summer is here. The aggression seems to happen during free range time, I havent noticed it on the coop cam yet.

 

[Kaesi2020]

When does this usually happen? Often there are scuffles relating to food, going up to the roost, etc.

Hello. Usually during free range time. I was wondering if it could be irritation from heat? Vitamin deficiency? I thought they were eating well- grower feed all day and snacks of mealworms, fruit, yogurt, etc. But maybe they are missing something?

 

[aart]

I thought they were eating well- grower feed all day and snacks of mealworms, fruit, yogurt, etc. But maybe they are missing something?

Cut out all the treats....stick with just the grower feed(what is the protein percentage?).
They should have the basic feed available all the time....multiple feeders can help with feed aggression.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

 

[Kaesi2020]

Cut out all the treats....stick with just the grower feed(what is the protein percentage?).
They should have the basic feed available all the time....multiple feeders can help with feed aggression.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

Thanks! I will cut out the treats. The protein level is 16% on the grower feed. So these are ten week old pullets then, I have been calling them hens! Thank you.

 

[keokabear]

I have a 12 week old pullet white Easter egger. Just this week she has begun attacking my smaller polish pullets, dark brahmas and even went after my 12 week old mottled houdan Cockerel. She holds them by the back of the neck and pulls feathers out as well. Following to watch for good advice.