Question about one mean girl

[ChuckD05]

I have a new flock of ten chickens now , had 6 added 4. (First time owner, 1 rooster)

Integrated them by keeping next to the coop for a week … then free range outside the coop here and there for a week … and third week extended more and more time until they took well enough to each other. Currently two weeks into them being all together and there’s one, barred rock, that is just a mean girl to the new hens. The rest occasionally show some displeasure with a peck but it’s minimal. This barred rock just runs after them and causes chaos anytime they go near her and sometimes she’ll go out of her way to do it. Especially in the morning.

So recently I’ve started removing her and putting her in the smaller enclosure I had the new ones in when she’s being a jerk. When I do this the rest are peaceful and no issues. I add her back and her chasing starts again which sometimes will cause others to join in.

My question to yall is , is this likely to stop after a while or will this continue ? Should I bother separating to “punish” ? Honestly , I’ll get rid of her if it continues simply because 4>1 and I don’t want the new ones constantly being chased when they’re in the coop. Even when they’re roaming she’ll chase them but obviously it’s easier for then to get away and her to give up.

I do have several perches and lots to run around so the attacks are often short and really no damage but it’s just the constant chasing that’s gotta be stressful for all of them.

Rooster is accepting of both , in fact he does his show off dance more to the new ones than I’ve seen him ever do to his OGs. Rooster may leave soon , also wondering if he can change the dynamic ?

Sorry for the lengthy post. Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I wrote an article recently on "The Sphere of Influence" that may or may not be helpful. I'll give you the cliff notes version.

Birds that are near the bottom of the pecking order can be a little extra. They don't want to lose their position and need to constantly remind the ones under them that they're in charge. It's insufferable to watch. If you keep their routine steady, she should chill out over time. Probably not 100%, but at least enough to stop making their lives miserable.

There's also a distinct difference between bullying and pecking order. Pecking order has a limited range to it. Bullying doesn't. My bully chickens will pursue their victims up, over, and around any obstacles. They become completely fixated.

Clutter up their space (and make sure you have enough of it), add extra feed and water stations, and ensure it's not true bullying that will lead to injury. Other than that, let them play it out. It does take time, and it can be hard to watch.

 

[dawg53]

Put peepers on the Barred Rock, they work.

 

[ChuckD05]

Thank you for that info. Makes a lot of sense.

What my barred rock is doing most def seems like bullying. The rest will peck when eating or on root bar if they’re in the way … she will just stop what she’s doing to chase them. I do have lots of obstacles and perches , and space, so I think I’m good there. We’ll see what goes on in a month or two.

I wrote an article recently on "The Sphere of Influence" that may or may not be helpful. I'll give you the cliff notes version.

Birds that are near the bottom of the pecking order can be a little extra. They don't want to lose their position and need to constantly remind the ones under them that they're in charge. It's insufferable to watch. If you keep their routine steady, she should chill out over time. Probably not 100%, but at least enough to stop making their lives miserable.

There's also a distinct difference between bullying and pecking order. Pecking order has a limited range to it. Bullying doesn't. My bully chickens will pursue their victims up, over, and around any obstacles. They become completely fixated.

Clutter up their space (and make sure you have enough of it), add extra feed and water stations, and ensure it's not true bullying that will lead to injury. Other than that, let them play it out. It does take time, and it can be hard to watch.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Thank you for that info. Makes a lot of sense.

What my barred rock is doing most def seems like bullying. The rest will peck when eating or on root bar if they’re in the way … she will just stop what she’s doing to chase them. I do have lots of obstacles and perches , and space, so I think I’m good there. We’ll see what goes on in a month or two.

My Barred Rock did a lot of bullying. A squirt gun, along with time, seemed to dial it way back. She's still pretty bossy, but I guess she got bored with the game.