New to chicken. Love them but need some help with bullying. it’s my younger ones being transitioned.

[CamoQueen]

I originally started with 4 girls I got T 2 weeks old. All diff breeds all do very well together. Eat out of my hand etc. good girls. Just love them.

I got three more girls in a separate coop at 12 week Daisy was a Roo. So pretty bit gave to a friend. Since I had only two in my other coop. I got 3 more 8 week old girls. In a coop inside the bigger coop with my 2 girls. Not turning out so well.

3 I got are 2 Orpington/Wyenndotte and 1 Colombian Rock Bantham. They are all 8 weeks old. My Bantham is getting picked on every time she turns around. She stay in the coop all day at the opening. Won’t come out.

I spoke to the person where I got them. He advised the following:

She is not used to a lot of chickens. She was up in a pen and the other two were around alot of chicks.

He said to give it a week. And bring her out of the coop while I’m in there and watched them. And if they peck her not to intervene Let them work it out as long as they are not beating her up where she is bleeding

It breaks my heart to see her holler and scream and run back up to get back into her coop. I’m just afraid it’s not gonna work out.

And when I bring her down the way my set up is she can run by back up into the coop so I close the door and she just stays at the top and wait for the door to be open. It won’t come down.

She has tried to come out a few times, enjoying her time alone packing the grass in the coop doing really good and then one of the two is picking at her so right now she’s sitting up in the coop. I won’t come down so I put food and water up there, but it was exciting to see her wander around until she got chased back up there.

I’m considering bringing her back to just keep her alone in her own run and that just seems cruel to me and I can’t get any more chickens right now or another Bantam so she has a friend

I’m stressing out over this because I hate to see what’s happening Any advice would be fantastic

I’m gonna go take a picture of the set up. Pics of the “mean girls” pick of my bantham and her what I call her permanent location also a pick of my 2 big girls in the bigger run.
so you know what I’m dealing with. I just could certainly use some advice.

I have had them about 5 days now

do I give her back back do I keep her separated ( seems wrong as chickens are social). Just want happy safe chickens.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

Sometimes what works is putting multiple feed/water stations out, and some "clutter" that the "victim" can take cover behind or under. Some ideas are pallets leaning against the fence, a log, wooden box, things like that. Not sure how much you can do as those runs seem small for putting much else in them.

Otherwise, as she grows, this will get easier, but you're looking at a few weeks probably. If she could be where they can see each other but not touch, maybe that would help things along.

 

[Poultry Showman]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

Sometimes what works is putting multiple feed/water stations out, and some "clutter" that the "victim" can take cover behind or under. Some ideas are pallets leaning against the fence, a log, wooden box, things like that. Not sure how much you can do as those runs seem small for putting much else in them.

Welcome to BYC! I hope this works for you! That's a beautiful little bantam you have

 

[CamoQueen]

Thank you for being so welcoming. Yes they are a little small I added the extra runs so they had more space cause I was hoping it was the space aspect that was causing it
so do you recommend somehow make take the runs out and split the coop in half for now. Then can maybe give her some places to retreat to. She’s so pretty and I love seeing her wander around when she does. She always ends up back at the top of the coop.

And my other girls are a little too small to be with the bigger chickens.

 

[CamoQueen]

I did have separate feeders and waters one in the small run one in the big run and actually one right now up in the coop because I want her to be able to eat and drink just so happens. I’m home the next few days because of the hurricane so I’m able to spend a little more time in there during the day at my wits end that’s all I got a big heart and I don’t know.

 

[muddy75]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you for being so welcoming. Yes they are a little small I added the extra runs so they had more space cause I was hoping it was the space aspect that was causing it
so do you recommend somehow make take the runs out and split the coop in half for now. Then can maybe give her some places to retreat to. She’s so pretty and I love seeing her wander around when she does. She always ends up back at the top of the coop.

And my other girls are a little too small to be with the bigger chickens.

If you can split the coop in half and each gets their own run next to each other, that sounds like a great option. I'm sure just for two or three weeks and then they should get along better.

 

[CamoQueen]

Thank you. I enjoy reading all the forums in here definitely a lot to learn. Yahoo helped me so much so far I was able to medicate my first four chickens. One of them was sick worked like a charm they’re healthy and growing so big.Gertie, Bella, Ginger, and Maude. They we’re all raised together and fantastic. No chicken drama. . But trying to fix my other girls now.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. I'm sorry for your stress. I think keeping your bantam in a coop/run within your big run will be fine. She will chatter and "talk" to the others without being a target.
I have a big heart too. It is always hard to see a chicken picked on. I've rehomed bullies in the past. They were beautiful girls who laid beautiful eggs but they made me and my entire flock stressed. I don't call myself a farmer. I am a pet owner.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you. I enjoy reading all the forums in here definitely a lot to learn. Yahoo helped me so much so far I was able to medicate my first four chickens. One of them was sick worked like a charm they’re healthy and growing so big.Gertie, Bella, Ginger, and Maude. They we’re all raised together and fantastic. No chicken drama. . But trying to fix my other girls now.

They are beautiful!

Have you seen our Learning Center yet? There's an index on the left with tons of great articles that you may find helpful.