Pecking Order Help

[btdupree]

Did they all start laying or they been laying and then started? fighting?

They've all been laying for about 6 weeks-ish now & it just started last week. When I removed Big Mama, I thought the pecking would stop. But, then Chickaletta started pecking the other two. So, I removed her also for the night. But, she was getting harshly pecked on by Big mama in the shared isolation cage. So I put her back in the coop. I'm hoping it goes better today, if not my plan is to find another cage to put her in until the healing is done with the others

 

[btdupree]

Road Island reds can be Tame and some are down right mean to the group? Since i don't have a photo of them, you say big moma, is cause she is larger size or the attitude that she has in the group? Some hens will attack a hen that is smaller and if they stand down there going to get beat up.

She was just always a little bigger than the others & the kids named her LOL. They're all roughly the same now (minus the feather loss They've all been very docile until recently. Big mama is even pecking at my kids & me. Before this, they all let you pick them up & come in and out of the run without a problem. She's really shifted the dynamics around.

 

[Flat Earth]

They've all been laying for about 6 weeks-ish now & it just started last week. When I removed Big Mama, I thought the pecking would stop. But, then Chickaletta started pecking the other two. So, I removed her also for the night. But, she was getting harshly pecked on by Big mama in the shared isolation cage. So I put her back in the coop. I'm hoping it goes better today, if not my plan is to find another cage to put her in until the healing is done with the others

I hope you the best!
, i still have a new hen that is in the group for over 1 month and they still wont let her have any of the treats i drop for the group, at lease they are not trying attack her. My hens are so mean, my rooster just goes backing to watching his Nature Channel and Fishing channels while they are in there wet hen attitude.

 

[Flat Earth]

She was just always a little bigger than the others & the kids named her LOL. They're all roughly the same now (minus the feather loss They've all been very docile until recently. Big mama is even pecking at my kids & me. Before this, they all let you pick them up & come in and out of the run without a problem. She's really shifted the dynamics around.

I don't know what to say, some chickens you get you think they are Angels and the nest day there not the same. Glad you are trying to work with them.

 

[Folly's place]

Consider changing to a 20% protein all flock diet, with oyster shell in a separate container, rather than the 16% layer feed, and leave out the scratch for now. These are growing birds, and eating a better diet may help a lot. also, check the mill date on each bag of feed, and buy what you can use within two months of milling.
The worst feather pecking birds we had were production reds, including those orange hatchery type RIRs. We no longer have any in our flock for that reason.
Mary

 

[aart]

I have a pretty big coop & walk in run

How big is that in feet by feet?
Pics would help too.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How big is that in feet by feet?
Pics would help too.

x2. "Pretty big" isn't helpful when troubleshooting. Photos would be the absolute best but a diagram or very detailed description of the entire set up and what's inside would work as well.

 

[btdupree]

Consider changing to a 20% protein all flock diet, with oyster shell in a separate container, rather than the 16% layer feed, and leave out the scratch for now. These are growing birds, and eating a better diet may help a lot. also, check the mill date on each bag of feed, and buy what you can use within two months of milling.
The worst feather pecking birds we had were production reds, including those orange hatchery type RIRs. We no longer have any in our flock for that reason.
Mary

Thanks so much for this advice. I will get them a higher protein feed today! That's good to know that maybe they're cranky. I'll leave out the scratch, too & reintroduce later on. Lots to learn about these birds!

 

[btdupree]

x2. "Pretty big" isn't helpful when troubleshooting. Photos would be the absolute best but a diagram or very detailed description of the entire set up and what's inside would work as well.

Well, I think the coop is about 4'x4' (not including the 3 nesting boxes). The coop is raised about 2feet & the run (walk in) is about 3ft x 12ft).

 

[btdupree]

I don't know what to say, some chickens you get you think they are Angels and the nest day there not the same. Glad you are trying to work with them.

I tell ya what, I have really grown to love these little guys. Actually, I'm happy to say that I've got both birds separated in big dog cages now--each in their own time out. Big mama has already had an attitude adjustment, or so it appears. She's not biting at me & she's giving her sweet sounds again. I've also ordered the painless peeps & some of the hanging veggie skewers for the run. I was super happy to see the bloodied chicken was scabbing up this morning & sitting on her egg! Also, my son found an egg in the old cat house hideaway that we put under the coop. So, I'm hopeful that all will get sorted soon enough. Thanks so much for all the advice & support from this forum. It's just the BEST!