Polish chicken getting picked on by other chickens.

[Phantom_k9]

We have about 5 chickens, all of different ages. Three of them are around six months old, one is around four, and the last is about two or three months old. However, we have began to have issues with two of the oldest three chickens.
We have a rooster, "Ash", who is a Plymouth Rock, and we have a white crested black Polish named "Ludwig". Ludwig was always picked on as a chick, however it has gotten out of hand recently. As of now, Ash has began to attack our Polish to the point where we fear Ash will kill our beloved Ludwig. We have had to separate Ludwig from the others in order to protect her, however we can't make a separate coop just for her. Furthermore, it is sad to see Ludwig stuck in our garage (we are still building a coop), while the others are out side. Aside from removing the rooster or the Polish, is there anything we can do to prevent this conflict from happening?
I am worried that Polish chickens are just prone to getting picked on, due to their beautiful head feathers, and that our youngest, "Hersey", will be bullied as well.
Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[azygous]

Separating but not removing the polish is the best way to go. She needs to remain in her flock and be seen as still there, or she will suffer from being an outcast even greater than now.

Bullying can become chronic, and it sounds as if this could be happening with your Polish. Here is a method I developed to address this complex issue. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

 

[ColtHandorf]

I very seldom see roosters bullying hens or pullets. They may overbreed them, or get over eager and chase pullets that are too young, but are you sure Ludwig isn't a cockerel?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Polish are best kept with other polish. A single polish in a flock will often be a target for pecking. They are odd birds that can't see well.

I have had them pecked bad enough that they need culling. I personally would not return her to the flock since you are experiencing problems. If it's just the rooster you could try removing him instead and see how it goes.

 

[Phantom_k9]

I very seldom see roosters bullying hens or pullets. They may overbreed them, or get over eager and chase pullets that are too young, but are you sure Ludwig isn't a cockerel?

Unless we have just been missing something, we're almost 100% sure our Ludwig is a hen.

 

[Phantom_k9]

Polish are best kept with other polish. A single polish in a flock will often be a target for pecking. They are odd birds that can't see well.

I have had them pecked bad enough that they need culling. I personally would not return her to the flock since you are experiencing problems. If it's just the rooster you could try removing him instead and see how it goes.

Removing the rooster as in give him away, or by separating him from the rest of the flock?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Removing the rooster as in give him away, or by separating him from the rest of the flock?

If he's the only one who is picking on her, than removing him, or the polish, probably permanently, may be your only answer.