Persistent Bullying from Older Hen — Remove or Persist?

[mtl83]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice from experienced keepers on a bullying situation that isn't resolving despite best efforts.

I have a 2-year-old Black Rock hen who was alone for a week after her last companion died. I then introduced two 18-week-old pullets (Sussex × Rhode Island Red hybrids) around six weeks ago. The integration was done carefully with the older hen kept in a crate for 7 days in visual and vocal contact, then reintroduced at night.

They've since been together for 5 or 6 weeks.
They now all sleep on the same perch in the coop, and one pullet seemed to have adjusted fine at first. However, one has clearly been the target of bullying from the beginning:

• She’s often pinned down and pecked on the neck by the Black Rock during the day.
• She eats last and gets pecked when trying to access food.
• I’ve already added two feeding stations, scatter feed, and visual barriers.
• They are free-ranging part of the day in a decent-sized run.

More recently, the second pullet has started to show early signs of mild aggression towards the other. It looks like the aggression may be spreading.

It’s also worth noting that this same Black Rock bullied the last hen she lived with towards the end of its short life to the point that that hen became reclusive, stopped eating properly, and eventually died. That behaviour was what prompted the recent reintroduction effort.

Despite all these interventions, the Black Rock is still behaving aggressively. It’s not just the odd peck but targeted and repeated. No blood drawn, but definitely chronic low-level bullying with a strong impact on flock dynamics. The bullied pullet is still laying daily and otherwise healthy, but clearly living in fear and deferring constantly.

I’m torn between giving it more time or removing/culling the Black Rock for the sake of the mini flock and particularly the submissive pullet. I've been torn, but also don’t want to prolong this and risk long-term harm to the other two. I'm sure that the other pullet is starting to copy her behaviour.

Feels to me that removal is the best option but don't want to do that if I'm missing something.

Grateful for any advice.

 

[cavemanrich]

Feels to me that removal is the best option

Unless you can keep that hen isolated indefinitely, removing would be best option.
I had a similar situation with one of my hens. She scalped one of my seramas. Really bad
I relocated her to a neighbor that keeps only large chickens.
Now,,, I only have bantams.
In previous times, I had a mix, and all were living in Harmony. Yes,, pecking order showoffs, but no harm to any chickens.
Sometimes you just get an individual chicken that is on the mean side.
If your more aggressive pullets still picks on the lesser one,,,,,,,,,,,,,, You can trim her beak, so its not a weapon grade.
I know many peeps are against doing such. They also don't know there is a humane way, and does not discomfort/hurt the chicken.
You may also try it on your Black Rock,, and see if it solves the issue.
Here is a way to do it. YouTube to the rescue.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[LaFleche]

Have a nice chicken soup!

Or put pinless peepers on the aggressor(s).

With only three hens there will not be much distraction and as she already bullied the previous mate to death I would have culled her already.

 

[Pearlescent]

Because you only have 3, it’s easy for her to pick a target. That hen isn’t compatible with a small flock, a had one like that too. I had to rehome her when I moved, as I was drastically downsizing my flock and I knew she’d just bully everyone.

If getting more chickens isn’t achievable for you (this wouldn’t necessarily fix it either, there’s just a chance it would improve it.), this hen has got to go. It’s totally up to you whether you cull or rehome. If you choose to rehome, make sure she goes to a big flock and the people know she’s trouble.