NEED ADVICE!! AGGRESIVE HEN-CAN SHE BE BY HERSELF?????

[chica57]

We have 2 coops and enclosed runs--the reason we built the 2nd was because we had a pullet 3yrs ago that was very sick, we pulled her through and she was fine except for being a little "slow", well at the same time we had a speckled Sussex (Rosie) that was fighting with all our other hens (to the death fighting) so we put her with our other one Millie-omg they were best buddies-no problems, well 2 days ago Millie became sick and very sadly died-now we are trying to put another hen in with her but shes back to her horrible fighting-Rosie and all the other girls are 5yrs now--I don't like seeing her alone but don't want any bloodshed either--should we get a couple pullets?? Can she survive on her own?? The runs are next to each other just separated by chicken wire so she sees them everyday.....Would really appreciate the input!!!!!

 

[Messipaw]

Oh boy i am so sorry to hear. I'm not a fan of the fighting and bulling that goes on either. I understand the whole concept of the "pecking order" I do. Just wish is wasn't so disturbing at times. Sometimes all you can do is keep them separate. What you are doing with the CW separation is correct. I know you feel bad that she is alone especially when sleeping. How long have you been trying to group them together? Maybe they just need more time.

 

[silkiechicken]

If she's a bully, she's likly always going to be one as long as she is healthy unless you get a rooster. Roos tend to put the girls in line. Pullets are by nature going to start at the bottom. As long as their isn't too much bloodshed, let them fight out their new order and they should be fine.

 

[chica57]

We've just been trying to put one hen in with her for a short time and right away Rosie did "walk bys" and then that was it--"game on" with her-don't understand why Millie was fine from the beginning Rosie couldn't be with the others at all......Just don't want her to dye from loneliness she is a very sweet girl with me.

 

[silkiechicken]

What if you just put her with all the rest of the girls and not one girl with her? Give it a few days and see if it settles down.

 

[chica57]

Thanks for the advice---that's how she ended up and why we built the 2nd coop they all grew up together then bout 1yr later she constantly fought with all of them--really bad fights that lasted for awhile so we puther in another coop with Millie.....Got to try and figure this out. Thanks Again.