Pecking order or a bully?

[cge7]

just introduced 2 10wk old pullets (1 BR 1 SLW) to my other 4- 4 month olds (1 EE, 2 OEs and 1NHR). Everything seems okay for the most part but the one bigger OE seems to peck at the new ones more than the others even pulling out a couple feathers if she gets close enough..once she starts the NHR and other OE join in.

I know the peckig order got shaken up with 2 new flock mates but wondering where normal pecking becomes bullying? no blood has been drawn but id like do something if needed before it gets to that point

 

[bobbi-j]

If they're not pinning the others down and mercilessly pecking them, or drawing blood, I'd let it be. It might help to give them some hiding places - a pallet or something leaned against the run fence (open on both ends so no one can get trapped). Multiple feeding and watering stations are also helpful. How much space do you have for them? Can the little ones get far away from the older ones? If a subordinate bird can't do that, the dominant bird may think the other one is not getting out of their space, and keep bullying.

 

[lotsofloveforchickens]

I heard that when you have a chicken who is a bully , put them in a separate pen for a few days and when you put the chicken back with the other chickens again it changes the pecking order . he might not be so mean again