Need Advice on Hen Bullying Issue

[Krazy4Chicks]

I have a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hen (her name is Zoey) that I absolutely love. She's probably about 10 months old now and a good (daily) layer. Unfortunately, I had to remove her from our main coop a couple of months ago and put her into a make-shift coop because she was bullying two of the newcomers -- two young Silkies. I have 4 other Silkies and an Ameraucana, and there are no issues with any of them with the new Silkies. These new Silkies are very timid. However, they run around nervously whenever they see Zoey (like chickens with their heads cut off). It's as if they put a target on themselves by acting so fearful of Zoey. I had thought that if I removed Zoey from the coop for a few weeks and then reintroduced her that things would work out. Unfortunately, I was wrong. When I introduced her back into the coop, the two Silkies remembered her and started crazily fluttering around. This made Zoey just go after them and attack them, resulting in plucked out feathers and screaming from the two Silkies. This situation is really tearing at my heartstrings. Like I said, I've tried the separating arrangement and that didn't work. Any other suggestions, besides rehoming her?

 

[Kelsie2290]

Have you tried Pinless Peepers on Zoey? They often do seem to work for straight bullying issues. Sillkies are often a problem in mixed flocks though, so if you replace Zoey you may wind up with the same thing with another hen.

 

[Krazy4Chicks]

Thanks for the suggestion, Kelsie2290. I've done a little reading on the Pinless Peepers, and I'm a little apprehensive. It sounds like it can do damage to the nostril area. Have you personally used the Pinless Peepers? If so, what has your experience been?

 

[Kelsie2290]

I have used them periodically, have not had any problems with them (the Pinless ones), if you warm them in hot water they bend a lot easier. You might want to do a search, there are quite a few people who have used them and most seem happy with the results. You do have to keep an eye on them, if the birds get them twisted they can cause sores etc. They are something I would definitely consider trying if you want to keep the hen and nothing else is working.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/144815/pinless-peeper-poultry-blinders/50
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/569815/pinless-peepers-saves-the-day-or-chicken-butts-anyway/20

 

[Krazy4Chicks]

Thank you so much for your input --- this is worth a try and will be my last ditch effort on trying to create peace. I think I'm going to order some of these off of eBay. There's an auction for 6 of them with pliers for just $10.75 plus $2.00 for shipping. They come in a variety of colors. If this doesn't work, my hubby said she has to be rehomed.

Crossing my fingers!

Any suggestion of what the better color would be (to prevent others from picking on her)? Or does it really matter? They come in Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Brown, and Orange.