New to Chickens.. very aggressive birds

[Kate9]

Hi everyone. I have 15 4 month old heritage and barn yard mix chickens (2 roosters).
I am really struggling with 2 of the hens have become super aggressive to the other hens and the roosters are being jerks also (not to each other but the girls) ripping feathers out (could be they are ready to breed?)
The hens though one especially is ripping out feathers; grabbing wings just all in all super aggressive to the others and even to us now. Is the only solution the stew pot??

must has been along time since I had chickens and I have forgotten a lot.

I am even thinking of moving them into a bigger hen house if that will help

Thank you!

 

[cinnamoncockatiel]

Are they free ranging, cooped up, do they have a run?

 

[CalBickieMomma]

Hello!

Might be a space issue. Young roos are kinda clumsy and sometimes don’t have great manners. Hens can be brats, too (I have a few who are extra bossy but the others know to keep away from them and although there is the occasional feather pull, it isn’t to the point of damage).

As for space, they should have at least 10 sq feet per chicke in their run, less in the coop.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Kate9]

They have a decent 30x40 outside run with pallets and lots of place to get away from each other. It is getting expanded in the spring. The house may be to small but they are only in there at night

 

[rosemarythyme]

They have a decent 30x40 outside run with pallets and lots of place to get away from each other. It is getting expanded in the spring. The house may be to small but they are only in there at night

That's a good amount of space, though coop might need expansion since you admit it's small.

Might want to try pinless peepers on the problem pullets. The cockerels... you may need to pick just one, because once hormones really get into full swing they may fight over the girls. As it is right now it sounds like they're clumsily trying to breed but are showing poor manners in approaching it. Either way, you may want to consider making them a separate "bachelor's pen" so they don't have access to the girls, and if you want to hatch just let the one you want as the father have some access to the girls for a few weeks at a time.

 

[Kate9]

Thank you! I will pick one rooster. What would you suggest for the nasty hens? I have 1 really mean one and one that is semi nasty

That's a good amount of space, though coop might need expansion since you admit it's small.

Might want to try pinless peepers on the problem pullets. The cockerels... you may need to pick just one, because once hormones really get into full swing they may fight over the girls. As it is right now it sounds like they're clumsily trying to breed but are showing poor manners in approaching it. Either way, you may want to consider making them a separate "bachelor's pen" so they don't have access to the girls, and if you want to hatch just let the one you want as the father have some access to the girls for a few weeks at a time.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! I will pick one rooster. What would you suggest for the nasty hens? I have 1 really mean one and one that is semi nasty

Try the pinless peepers on the girls for now. Some folks get very good results from that.

Also what are you feeding them? Mainly looking at protein % of the feed as well as how many treats they're being offered.

 

[Kate9]

Try the pinless peepers on the girls for now. Some folks get very good results from that.

Also what are you feeding them? Mainly looking at protein % of the feed as well as how many treats they're being offered.

I will get some of those. They get 18%(im 99% sure it’s 18) free range layer food and hen scratch then what ever bugs and such they find outside

 

[rosemarythyme]

I will get some of those. They get 18%(im 99% sure it’s 18) free range layer food and hen scratch then what ever bugs and such they find outside

If it's 18%, that's not bad. Might try cutting back on scratch or eliminating it for a couple weeks, just to see if that helps as far as protein intake.

 

[Kate9]

If it's 18%, that's not bad. Might try cutting back on scratch or eliminating it for a couple weeks, just to see if that helps as far as protein intake.

Thank you so much I will. Hopefully this, a bigger coop and the pinless peepers will help with the nasty hens