Overly aggressive dominant hen

[TwinChickens]

I am in the process of introducing three pullets to an established flock of two, one of whom is a very submissive turken and was picked on even when we had three and the other who is a VERY dominant RIR and quite aggressive.

Two of the three pullets were introduced fairly successfully, they mostly keep out of the RIR's way and stick together, however the smallest pullet (same age, just smaller and different breed) has had a few issues and was instantly attacked. Currently I am keeping her in a hospital cage away from the other hens as she is having medical issues to but I don't know what to do next. We are not sure how to approach the situation, do we isolate the RIR who picks on all of the other hens or do we isolate the pullets, or just the one who is picked on?

 

[TwinChickens]

If possible, we can create a permanent separated run, where they can still see and interact with each other without the danger of being attacked, however if there is a way to curb the RIR's aggressiveness we would prefer not to split up the flock

 

[chuckachucka]

I dont know of any way to reduce aggressiveness in a hen except ro get a more dominant rooster, I'm afraid. you may have to keep the aggressive hen separate in the run. I have heard that you can try removing the dominant hen for a few days then return her to the flock, and she should be automatically bottom of the pecking order (but may just fight her way back up again).

I have a hen who is such a bully to every single other chicken I've ever had that I finally recently gave up and made her a separate coop and run. There was nothing that I could do to improve her behaviour.

 

[TwinChickens]

That's a shame... Unfortunately the little pullet is in danger of being seriously hurt, so I think possibly the safest course of action is going to have to be building the RIR her own separate coop and run. Thanks for the advice