despina33
Hatching
- May 12, 2015
- 9
- 1
- 9
Hello everyone and thanks for your help in advance!
I have 2 chickens that I raised from chicks, they are 1 year old. About a month ago I added 3 more hens that are 2.5 yrs old. When the pecking order was taking place my first chick was the boss and then later left the place for my other chick (she is a barred Plymouth /rock) The Grey one in the picture (you can even see the separation in the pic!).
The problem is that this one is super mean. Today it was raining and she would not let the other 3 new hens go into the house. At night, once she roots, the others are afraid to go in.... so they hang around outside. I let them free range. They are ALWAYS seperated, the new 3 together and the 2 together. They never do anything as a flock, always separate.
Sometimes, the mean chicken picks on the other ones for no apparent reason. Even though they move out of her way to give her the space, she is not satisfied, she always pulls a feather or gives them a whack.
I heard about separating the mean one... but it breaks my heart.
What can I really do to have a happy flock?
THANK YOU!!!
I have 2 chickens that I raised from chicks, they are 1 year old. About a month ago I added 3 more hens that are 2.5 yrs old. When the pecking order was taking place my first chick was the boss and then later left the place for my other chick (she is a barred Plymouth /rock) The Grey one in the picture (you can even see the separation in the pic!).
The problem is that this one is super mean. Today it was raining and she would not let the other 3 new hens go into the house. At night, once she roots, the others are afraid to go in.... so they hang around outside. I let them free range. They are ALWAYS seperated, the new 3 together and the 2 together. They never do anything as a flock, always separate.
Sometimes, the mean chicken picks on the other ones for no apparent reason. Even though they move out of her way to give her the space, she is not satisfied, she always pulls a feather or gives them a whack.
I heard about separating the mean one... but it breaks my heart.
What can I really do to have a happy flock?
THANK YOU!!!