One of my hens just attacked another for no reason!

[Barnette]

Unfortunately, humans have no way of causing a change in the pecking order unless they add to the flock or subtract from the flock. In this case you would need the subtracting, because it does not seem like Herm's flockmates will ever stop picking on her. It is better off for Herm's health if she gets separated. There is really nothing else to do. You can find out who is the most dominant hen, or who keeps started the attack on Herm, separate them and add Herm back to the flock, but then . . . the pecking order needs re-established all over again because one of the hens got taken out, so either way Herm would be picked on.

I know who the most dominant hen is, Fiona, but I haven't seen her attack Herm. It's Brownie who I saw on Herm's back the first time when I saw a commotion in the yard. I'll keep a close eye on them. Thank you all!

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

I know who the most dominant hen is, Fiona, but I haven't seen her attack Herm. It's Brownie who I saw on Herm's back the first time when I saw a commotion in the yard. I'll keep a close eye on them. Thank you all!

You are welcome! Hopefully Herm will not get picked on again.

 

[Barnette]

Hey, if anyone is still watching this thread, I've got an update on Herm.

I've been keeping her separated from the others in her own run and letting her free-range under supervision. I had the idea of moving her in with the blind hen and her buddy, who live in their own little run and coop, so I've been letting Herm spend the day with them and it's going well. Hermione did attack the blind hen at one point, but the buddy chicken Gale intervened and stopped Herm. It was a really important moment and now Herm has accepted Pinky the blind one and vise versa. Hermie is still sleeping in a dog crate in the coop with the big flock, but soon I will have her sleep with Pinky and Gale if that works out.

Also, important note, Herm has started laying eggs. She took a break over the winter and has just begun laying large, oddly-shaped white eggs. She will sit on the laying box for hours and then bury her egg in the shavings. She may be getting broody after all but I don't know what I can do about that. Thank you all for your advice! Have a great week!

 

[FrostRanger]

Depends on if you want her to hatch chicks or not. If so, give her a few fertile eggs, if not you can break her by putting her in "broody jail" which is just an empty dog crate with nothing but food, water and a perch. No shavings or other bedding that she can nest in. Keep her in there for a few days and if she stays off the nest except to lay then you're good, but if she goes right back to sitting on the nest put her back in broody jail for a few more days

All that assuming that she is indeed broody which she might not be

 

[Barnette]

Depends on if you want her to hatch chicks or not. If so, give her a few fertile eggs, if not you can break her by putting her in "broody jail" which is just an empty dog crate with nothing but food, water and a perch. No shavings or other bedding that she can nest in. Keep her in there for a few days and if she stays off the nest except to lay then you're good, but if she goes right back to sitting on the nest put her back in broody jail for a few more days

All that assuming that she is indeed broody which she might not be

Thank you, but we don't have any roosters to fertilize the eggs, unfortunately. I would love to hatch some chicks but we are overwhelmed right now so we can't. Have a good day!

 

[SueT]

One thing you can do with bullies is make them wear Pinless Peepers. It stops all attacking. They can still eat and drink and roost.
I used to put these peepers on vicious bullies, but finally I just rehomed the culprits. Pecking order does not have to include drawing blood, that's where I finally drew the line.

 

[Barnette]

One thing you can do with bullies is make them wear Pinless Peepers. It stops all attacking. They can still eat and drink and roost.
I used to put these peepers on vicious bullies, but finally I just rehomed the culprits. Pecking order does not have to include drawing blood, that's where I finally drew the line. View attachment 3879524

Thank you. It's the whole flock going after Herm though, I have seen at least three different ones begin the fights and then the rest join in. But I could try the peepers. But I would NEVER think of rehoming my girls -they are all rescues from other people who were rehoming their chickens, and I would never give them back. Thanks for the suggestions though I might look into the pinless peepers

 

[SueT]

Thank you. It's the whole flock going after Herm though, I have seen at least three different ones begin the fights and then the rest join in. But I could try the peepers. But I would NEVER think of rehoming my girls -they are all rescues from other people who were rehoming their chickens, and I would never give them back. Thanks for the suggestions though I might look into the pinless peepers

If you get some of these, know that they are a bit difficult to put on. It takes 2 people, one to hold the bird, one to apply the peepers. You do not need a tool, some sellers offer a tool...just soak in very hot (near boiling) water and it will become flexible. Practice ahead of time flexing it. The prongs go into the nostrils. The bird will at first act very disoriented, trying to remove these blinders. In about 10 minutes, they will calm, and by the next day, just go about their business. The hen in the photo wore hers several months, and when I removed them, she was no longer a bully.