Pecking order or bully?

[ALey]

We have 2 Silver Laced Wyandotte hens that have been fighting. We got them, full grown, together in late August of last year. We also have six other hens, no rooster. The 2 Wyandottes have always seemed to look out for each other and always stick together. The larger of the two seems to be at the top of the pecking order. This past Saturday they started fighting, with the bigger one winning, but the little one wouldn't back down. The little one was injured and we took her out for a couple of days to heal and until we had time to make a pen to keep her separated till fully healed. We put her in the run with the other chickens, in her separated pen. No problems. Let her out for some supervised play today, our other six chickens are fine with her but the other one that she was fighting went right for her. We are not sure what to do with these guys. How far do we do you let chicken fights go? Should we keep them separated? Is this challenging the pecking order or something else? Need some help.

 

[DobieLover]

We have 2 Silver Laced Wyandotte hens that have been fighting. We got them, full grown, together in late August of last year. We also have six other hens, no rooster. The 2 Wyandottes have always seemed to look out for each other and always stick together. The larger of the two seems to be at the top of the pecking order. This past Saturday they started fighting, with the bigger one winning, but the little one wouldn't back down. The little one was injured and we took her out for a couple of days to heal and until we had time to make a pen to keep her separated till fully healed. We put her in the run with the other chickens, in her separated pen. No problems. Let her out for some supervised play today, our other six chickens are fine with her but the other one that she was fighting went right for her. We are not sure what to do with these guys. How far do we do you let chicken fights go? Should we keep them separated? Is this challenging the pecking order or something else? Need some help.

Can you please post a picture of your coop (inside and out) and run?
How big is the coop in ft x ft? How big is the run?
What exactly and how do you feed?
How old is everyone?

 

[ALey]

Can you please post a picture of your coop (inside and out) and run?
How big is the coop in ft x ft? How big is the run?
What exactly and how do you feed?
How old is everyone?

All hens are approximately 1 year. Enclosed run is 8 x 12, coop is 5 x 6 with 3 boxes. We feed layer pellets and veggies. Pellets are in a hanging feeder, anything else is given on two trays. We haven't had any problems till this past weekend.

 

[DobieLover]

All hens are approximately 1 year. Enclosed run is 8 x 12, coop is 5 x 6 with 3 boxes. We feed layer pellets and veggies. Pellets are in a hanging feeder, anything else is given on two trays. We haven't had any problems till this past weekend.

Looks good.
When did they resume laying?
You may want to give pinless peepers a try on your bully.

 

[ALey]

We've been getting eggs through most of the winter, but just this last couple of weeks there's been an increase and it looks like everybody is laying. Do you think it's bullying? We put the 'bully' on timeout so that the injured one could get some exercise and move around a bit. She's huddled up in the sand box with the other 6 hens, they don't have a problem with her at all.

 

[imnukensc]

Put pinless peepers on the bully.

 

[DobieLover]

We've been getting eggs through most of the winter, but just this last couple of weeks there's been an increase and it looks like everybody is laying. Do you think it's bullying? We put the 'bully' on timeout so that the injured one could get some exercise and move around a bit. She's huddled up in the sand box with the other 6 hens, they don't have a problem with her at all.

It sounds like it could be bullying.
Give these a try:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076CLT1BC/?tag=backy-20

Don't leave them on too long. I'd try it for a week and start with supervision. After a week, take them off and see how your bully behaves.

 

[ALey]

Looks good.
When did they resume laying?
You may want to give pinless peepers a try on your bully.

We've been getting eggs through most of the winter, but just this last couple of weeks there's been an increase and it looks like everybody is laying. Do you think it's bullying? We put the 'bully' on timeout so that the injured one could get some exercise and move around a bit. She's huddled up in the sand box with the other 6 hens, they don't have a problem with her at all.

 

[aart]

They are fighting for top spot in the pecking order would be my guess.
I'd put blinders on ....or get rid of.... the bully.