Pecking problems when chickens confined to enclosure

[Jmash]

Help!!
We currently have three chickens ( 25 wk Australorp, 18 week PBR and a 16 week WTB) and are having a horrible time keeping two of them off of the WTB.

They both peck on her pretty badly. When we were introducing them all, they ganged up on her and pecked her tail until she was raw and bleeding. It happened again (though just pulling feathers this time, they didn’t break skin). She was finally growing her tail feather back!

It seems to only happen when they are confine to their enclosure, which is plenty big 5’x8’ with a coop inside that is raised off the ground and plenty of perches and places to perch on. They have plenty of food and water and are able to scratch at the ground to their hearts content.

BUT, every time they stay in their for longer than an hour past dawn, they peck and the smallest. If they are let into the backyard, they still bully her, but they don’t tear her up.

We have a trip coming up and need them to be confined to the enclosure. What should I do!??

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Maybe try getting a cardboard box and making some openings only the small pullet can fit through in order to get away from the other birds. Hang a cabbage to distract the other pullets.
What’s a WTB?

 

[Jmash]

Maybe try getting a cardboard box and making some openings only the small pullet can fit through in order to get away from the other birds. Hang a cabbage to distract the other pullets.
What’s a WTB?

Thanks!!
I’ll see what I can come up with. They are getting similar in size now… so hopefully I can get something that works.

(WTB - whiting true blue)

 

[Pyxis]

Sounds like in this case you need a quick fix to make sure no one is injured while you're gone, so I would toss some pinless peepers on the two bullies. It obscures their vision so that they can't see well enough close up to peck.

 

[aart]

When we were introducing them all

When and how did you introduce who to whom?