Resource guarding keeps derailing my flocks. Can't crack the code!

[thecatumbrella]

- History -

I had three large fowl in 2023, kept in a 9x12 pen. They shared one feeder. Resource guarding started when the last one began laying at 7 months. I added a second feeder. The birds being pecked away WOULD NOT go to the second feeder. Instead, they'd collect any scraps that fell from the dominant hen's feast. I believe this resulted in a small degree of malnourishment. The Golden Comet began picking butt feathers to supplement her diet, then my Australorp began laying shell-less eggs and becoming egg bound. I suppose the egg issues might have been coincidental, seeing as she was a new layer. Everyone was rehomed to a free range environment. All problems resolved in their new home.

- Today -

New bantam flock, kept in a 9x18 pen. They've grown up always having multiple feeders. Four have reached point-of-lay, and all four began resource guarding along with it. Once again, the birds being pecked away WILL NOT go to another feeder. They perform the same eating-at-their-feet behavior. When this happens to an active layer, they end up "lashing out" at the bird below them in the rankings. All their behaviors are pecking order related (not bullying), but it's turned up to 11. They don't even want to share coop space with their underlings, all because top bird doesn't want to share a multi-port feeder, and they refuse to go to another one to fulfill their egg laying needs.

- Extra Details -

Everyone eats 20% all flock by Kalmbach. The crumble is checked daily for freshness and replaced weekly. All feeders are accessible and easily used by everyone. It doesn't seem to matter if there's a visual block between feeders or not. I will say that the bantam flock are VERY nervous birds. They're six months old and still get spooked by the wind blowing. No predators have visited the pen (we have cameras), and I've added privacy screening along some of the walls to help them feel more protected.

- Help? -

What is going on? Judging by everything I've read over the last two years, resource guarding between broodermates seems rare. Why is it happening to me so consistently? These birds want for nothing (other than free range time). We're rehoming the last of the bantams this week, and I'm thinking I'm done with chickens at this point. I can fix their crappy coop (Omlet Eglu), but I can't change the confinement situation at this property. I see many, many chicken keepers housing their flock in similar (or worse) enclosures without issue. So please, let me have it. What am I overlooking?

 

[FrostRanger]

Chickens like to do stuff together and food looks much more delicious if someone else is eating it, as long as they have the option to use another feeder and no one is getting hurt, I'd let them sort it out amongst themselves. Some flocks are also just plain more high strung than others. Sounds like you got plain unlucky with 2 high strung flocks in a row. The too small coop could certainly be making things worse than they otherwise would be but them preferring a feeder is perfectly normal too, I have 2 feeders and the feeder in the front always empties first

 

[wrathsfarm]

Post a pic of your feeders... using something like a trough style or DIY 6-8" pvc pipe 4 to 8 foot long cut in half length wise may help giving plenty of room. Or just adding more feeders. I've never encountered this so really just spit balling ideas to help. Sorry it's swaying you away from chicken keeping, but understand how frustrating it can be.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Chickens like to do stuff together and food looks much more delicious if someone else is eating it

Yes, exactly! It's like this bad combination of chicken FOMO and pecking order.

as long as they have the option to use another feeder and no one is getting hurt

This is where it gets tough. No one's getting hurt from the interactions, but they are suffering physically from not eating/drinking enough. Despite having two waterers, my lowest ranking bird had a shriveled comb this morning (so I added a third waterer). My 2nd layer is also losing a little weight. I had her separated overnight into this morning, and she cleaned out her personal feeder without the top bird bothering her. I've never seen so much poop in my life!

Sounds like you got plain unlucky with 2 high strung flocks in a row.

Part of me wonders that, but what are the chances? It's a lot easier to blame myself or the setup.

Thanks for weighing in, Frost. You always have a good perspective.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Post a pic of your feeders... using something like a trough style or DIY 6-8" pvc pipe 4 to 8 foot long cut in half length wise may help giving plenty of room. Or just adding more feeders. I've never encountered this so really just spit balling ideas to help. Sorry it's swaying you away from chicken keeping, but understand how frustrating it can be.

Feeders attached. Both are hanging style. I also use cage cups along the walls. I like your PVC idea. Something that's large enough to spread out, but still eat "together".

 

[AinaWGSD]

Unfortunately its probably not as simple as some little thing you're overlooking. You certainly should have adequate space.

Have the bantam flock consistently eaten out of just one feeder or have they historically used multiple feeders (ie does the flock have one feeder that's preferred over all others)? Can you move feeders around or are they in fixed locations? If they have one preferred feeder maybe try moving the location of that feeder or just leave it empty so they are encouraged to use different ones would help?

 

[thecatumbrella]

Unfortunately its probably not as simple as some little thing you're overlooking. You certainly should have adequate space.

Have the bantam flock consistently eaten out of just one feeder or have they historically used multiple feeders (ie does the flock have one feeder that's preferred over all others)? Can you move feeders around or are they in fixed locations? If they have one preferred feeder maybe try moving the location of that feeder or just leave it empty so they are encouraged to use different ones would help?

The bantams have used their feeders pretty equally. The hanging aspect lets me move things around, and I have rotated locations to generate interest. Today, I actually moved them closer together to try and remind them that other options exist! Everyone's scheduled to be rehomed this week, so there's no harm in experimenting at this point.

 

[FrostRanger]

Part of me wonders that, but what are the chances? It's a lot easier to blame myself or the setup.

Unfortunately sometimes you just get difficult birds and despite your best efforts you have problems. Doesn't mean that they're hopeless, they just require a slightly different setup - and I think a trough style feeder would be a great idea for your flock. Either way, don't beat yourself up over it, you're doing the best you can with what you have and what you know and that's all any of us can do

 

[Altairsky]

Which breeds are they and how many birds? It's a strange behavior.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Which breeds are they and how many birds? It's a strange behavior.

2023 group was 2 Black Australorps and 1 Golden Comet.

2025 bantam group started with 6 Cochin (Pekin) Bantams and 1 d'Uccle. I'm now down to 2 Pekins and the d'Uccle. d'Uccle has always been top bird and started guarding the food and water about 2 weeks ago before laying. She'll only do it when the others come within a few inches of her.

Edit: The birds below her seem to fall apart because of it. The d'Uccle, herself, seems like she's behaving as a top hen should. She's quite fair (in my opinion).