Outcast pullet being picked on...any advice?

[Alexandra33]

So, we're in a pretty discouraging situation. We have a Buckeye pullet, Shannon, who is about 10 weeks old, and she has recently been a target of the other pullets her age. They peck her and bully her incessantly, not to mention that her feathers are tattered from so much picking and she is just now growing her tail back out. She has shown signs of being a very friendly, sweet little thing if she weren't so scared and nervous; she has even gotten to the point where she is afraid of being touched for fear that she will be hurt. She also beds down alone most of the time while the others enjoy relaxing together as a group; such a lonely pullet....my heart breaks for Shannon, and I want very much to bond with her, but she is mentally crippled from being terrorized every day by the other 15 chicks. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do for her? I would love some suggestions.

 

[azygous]

I have just such a hen. Poor Flo, a five-year old EE was being daily stomped all last summer, beaten to the point of several hens stomping her back and pecking her head bald. She quit laying eggs for an entire year because she was such a nervous wreck.

On close investigation, I found Flo was lame. She was unable to defend herself or meet challenges from younger hens. So I separated her from the others, gave her her own small pen to hang out in, and I take her indoors each night to sleep in a basket by the back door. She's so happy and feels so safe now, she lays almost every day in a dog crate nest I set up for her in her private pen, where she watches the rest of the flock while being protected from them.

You need to examine your pullet closely for signs of illness or injury or a disability such as Flo has. It appears to be some sort of joint inflammation and aspirin helps her feel more comfortable and get around better. The others are picking on your pullet for a reason. You need to figure out why because there may be something you can do to help her. Other than that, try to protect her and make things as safe for her as possible. She'll eventually calm down and feel more friendly as she finds she has no reason to be afraid any longer.

 

[junebuggena]

So, we're in a pretty discouraging situation. We have a Buckeye pullet, Shannon, who is about 10 weeks old, and she has recently been a target of the other pullets her age. They peck her and bully her incessantly, not to mention that her feathers are tattered from so much picking and she is just now growing her tail back out. She has shown signs of being a very friendly, sweet little thing if she weren't so scared and nervous; she has even gotten to the point where she is afraid of being touched for fear that she will be hurt. She also beds down alone most of the time while the others enjoy relaxing together as a group; such a lonely pullet....my heart breaks for Shannon, and I want very much to bond with her, but she is mentally crippled from being terrorized every day by the other 15 chicks. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do for her? I would love some suggestions.

How big is the coop and run?

 

[Alexandra33]

I have just such a hen. Poor Flo, a five-year old EE was being daily stomped all last summer, beaten to the point of several hens stomping her back and pecking her head bald. She quit laying eggs for an entire year because she was such a nervous wreck.

On close investigation, I found Flo was lame. She was unable to defend herself or meet challenges from younger hens. So I separated her from the others, gave her her own small pen to hang out in, and I take her indoors each night to sleep in a basket by the back door. She's so happy and feels so safe now, she lays almost every day in a dog crate nest I set up for her in her private pen, where she watches the rest of the flock while being protected from them.

You need to examine your pullet closely for signs of illness or injury or a disability such as Flo has. It appears to be some sort of joint inflammation and aspirin helps her feel more comfortable and get around better. The others are picking on your pullet for a reason. You need to figure out why because there may be something you can do to help her. Other than that, try to protect her and make things as safe for her as possible. She'll eventually calm down and feel more friendly as she finds she has no reason to be afraid any longer.

Thank you so much for the quick response! We inspected her, and she doesn't appear to have any disabilities or illnesses. She's a very healthy bird. However, she's always been somewhat underdeveloped; she still has a tiny bit of down, and hasn't grown in a tail until now (although I suspect that this is because the others pulled it out). Perhaps it is because she has always been a slightly unusual compared to everyone else. I love your idea of separating her, and I believe that this would aid her to be more at ease. Your advice is invaluable!

 

[Alexandra33]

How big is the coop and run?

The coop is probably around 200 square feet, while the run is approximately 6,000 square feet. They free range most of the time, though, so they don't often stay exclusively in the run. We have 27 chickens and 6 ducks who share the space, and other than Shannon, who is the exception, they don't seem to bother each other.

 

[azygous]

Separating a pullet that is lacking in self confidence, in my experience, can give them the space and safety to actually develop self confidence. This is what happened with a young Buff Brahma hen I had several years ago. Joycie was also being beat up and feathers yanked, and had a pretty miserable, picked on existence. She was at rock bottom in the pecking order.

After six weeks of being kept in the pen where Flo now resides, she actually developed enough self confidence to fight back against her tormentors and move up a few ranks in the pecking order.

It really astonished me the personality change that had come over her. I asked the old timers her on BYC is that was possible. And I was told, absolutely yes! It's the nice long rest and safety from being bullied that gives a young pullet or hen the breathing space to get herself back on track.

So figure out a way to give your pullet that safety, but try to arrange it so the others know she's still a member of the flock, and hopefully you see a change come over her, and her life will get better.

 

[Alexandra33]

Yes, I will most definitely do all I can to improve her quality of life. I really appreciate your extremely helpful input!