RiR aggression

[cowboy bob]

Hi I have 4 FBCM and 3 RIR hens just over a year old. two of the RIR are being picked on to the point that one has had no feathers on its back for more than a week. Today while free ranging I caught the RIR that was not injured on one of the injured ones. I separated that bird to a different enclosure. Is there anything else I could do and how long should this bird be separated? Thanks

 

[sourland]

Do an on site search on 'Pin Less Peepers'. They can help in a situation like this.

 

[123RedBeard]

Or ... crock pot..

 

[chrissynemetz]

Are you positive the aggressive one isn't a male? If it's just an overly mean hen I think the pinless peepers would be worth a try.

 

[cowboy bob]

Certain all are hens

 

[Folly's place]

You can try isolating this nasty hen out of sight of the flock for about two weeks, and then reintroduce her. SOMETIMES this will reset the pecking order enough. Meanwhile, getting pinless peepers for her may help. Or, the freezer, or rehome her with full disclosure.
For the good of the flock, she needs to reform or be gone.
Mary

 

[cowboy bob]

Thanks all

 

[chrissynemetz]

I will say, in my experience, RIR can be really aggressive to other chickens. Sometimes separating them for a few weeks works, but I've had a couple go back to picking fights within a month or so. I've never tried the pinless peepers but I've heard good reviews on them

 

[Chickassan]

Some hens are just mean, a RIR hen has a better chance at being that one mean hen.
Not even adding a rooster helps, red girls got no reservations about beating a man.

 

[Folly's place]

That's why I haven't had hatchery RIRs or any production reds for a very long time!
Mary