One hen bullying all the other hens?

[AnimalsComeFirst]

I have this one, small Black Australorp, named Lucy, who has been being extremely mean to the hens in the lowest side of the pecking order. She chases, jumps on, pecks and harrasess the hens all day long, without a break. Mostly she bullys Sophia (My delaware with a twisted back, so the more she jumps on her back, the more she is in pain. Sophia doesn't fight back, she'll just lay on the ground when she attacks her.) And Abby (My half blind Golden Laced Wyandotte, who can't see or fight back. Abby will submit, and run away, but Lucy just keeps chasing her and jumping on her back.)

The other 3 hens don't bother the special needs ones at all, its just Lucy who keeps at it.
What to do? Its makes me so mad when I see her, day after day jumping, pecking and harrasing them all day. Would hen saddles help Sophia and Abby? Trying a spray bottle on Lucy whenever she does it? I really don't want to get rid of Lucy, I've raised her since she was 4 months old and she loves people.

Thanks in advance,
ACF Rescue

 

[Fred's Hens]

In my experience, they oft times stay this way. You can try the separation therapy thing, where you put her in another location, of of sight, for eight to ten day, and then re-introduce. Some of reported a bit of success with this method. That's about the only remedy and if it doesn't work, I've very little encouraging guidance for you.

 

[Snowygirl]

In my experience, they oft times stay this way. You can try the separation therapy thing, where you put her in another location, of of sight, for eight to ten day, and then re-introduce. Some of reported a bit of success with this method. That's about the only remedy and if it doesn't work, I've very little encouraging guidance for you.

That's what I'd do....We've done that before and it worked. I hope it works for you too!!

 

[terryg]

Yes, separate the bully, totally out of sight. But it works after only 4 days. Usually, though, bullying issues can be fixed by managing the environment. Outside roosts, an extra waterer (especially in this heat!) and an enriched environment helps. I keep my hens busy by having the compost pile in the chicken run. http://hencam.com/faq/compost-in-the-chicken-run/ When a hen is busy scratching and eating they don't think about bullying. And if there is bullying, if there's enough space, the picked on hen can move out of the way.
In your situation you have two birds who have physical issues. It is absolutely normal for them to be harassed. Sadly, this is one reason why hens hide illness until they are very, very sick. You might consider creating a separate pen for your two weaker birds, as even without an terrible bully in the flock, they will be hassled by the others. Right now you don't see the other hens bothering them, but when the bully is removed the pecking order changes and you'll see some other hen exert dominance over them. Most of the time it's no big deal, but since your girls have issues, I bet they'd like some peace and quiet in their own pen.

 

[miss hen]

Once upon a time i had no chickens nor any interest, a friend of my ex had a hen that killed some of his flock and he needed to get rid of her. He broght her to my place and quickly turned an old stall into a chicken coop then went up the road and got me some more chickens. He just knew I was a sucker for an animal in need. His killer hen never bugged anyone at my place. Not sure if it was the fact she was there first and already queen, different environment or having a rooster but she was the nicest hen I have ever had She would jump up beside me to get pet, you could carry her all over the place ect.....