Pecking order: Fair or Cruel?

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Hi, today I’ve noticed that my hens are all pecking my smallest Easter egger. She’s only a week younger. They peck her whenever she tries taking more food or does something that they don’t like. For instance, one time I was counting he chickens and I couldn’t find her. I found that she was roosting on a tree. Som I put her inside the coop and every single hen pecked her. I think she’s at the bottom of the order. Is there anything I could do to help her? Or should she just continue being pecked?
This is her:

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How big is your set up? How many birds? You will see more aggression as housing becomes tight. Do you provide multiple feeding stations and places for her to hide?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh and the pecking order isn't about cruelty, it's about survival of the fittest. The smaller the territory the less birds can be supported by it so stronger members will try to drive out or kill weaker members, so it's always best to give them plenty of room so they don't feel the need to follow that instinct.

Otherwise sometimes when they are targeting a certain bird its because there's something wrong or off with it. So they try to remove it from the flock.

 

[NoFlyBackFarm]

It's all about survival of the fittest!

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

The set up is pretty spacious for them. I have 8 hens. So, it’s not that many hens. I do have bushes that she sunbathes behind and little bowls of food around the yard.

 

[NoFlyBackFarm]

I wonder then? Are they due to molt?

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Yeah, it seems that they didn’t like her from the start. When, I first introduced her, they didn’t seem to pay attention to her. But, now I guess they are pecking her. It’s nothing serious it’s just a little annoying to watch them all peck her. Thanks for helping!

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

I don’t think so. Not yet at least. They are still a few months but laying. I think maybe after winter they might start.They probably won’t molt for a long time.

 

[NoFlyBackFarm]

Hmm not that then...

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

It could be that she’s one of the smallest. All the other chickens are bigger than her. I think she’s part bantam.