RIR bully!!

[Rainieb]

I have four 9 month old RIR Hens. They were raised together as chicks and we proudly watched them grow so beautifully and peaceful.. Free ranging and laying delicious eggs. Suddenly.. Bam!! Wednesday started jumping on Margarita and biting her! She does not do this to any other of the RIRs!

I thought it was a one-time thing until today Wednesday charged Margarita jumped on top of her, pecked her and actually drew blood near her eye.

Their coop is large enough. They get layer crumbles..free choice oyster shell and grit. Sometimes I will dangle broccoli from a wire during bad weather when they can't free range to keep them busy.

The only treats they get is occasional meal worm.. Scratch.. And shredded cabbage..

The first time I saw this is when they fought over a piece of cabbage.
But otherwise it's random.

I read about separating the bully, increasing protein..and even those little blinder things like the horses wear!! Ugh hiw about a chickie time out perch.. Proud mama is upset ! Any other suggestions besides giving up the hobby for good

 

[alexa009]

I would recommend separating the roo or separating the pullet being picked on. Do have any wire or fencing? You could give him a small portion of the pen or put him on the other side of the pen still being near the chickens but not being able to hurt her then you could put him in the coop at night. This is how I would react if my rooster started doing this. This is usually also very common in the red breeds. You don't always have to do that. I have red chickens that were super bossy but keeping them together for a long time will probably get them bored of it. If the rooster keeps drawing blood then you will have to separate him or sell him. Most red chickens have that behavior, My red sex link was a bully to my delaware until my delaware won a fight with her a few months later and went over her in the pecking order. Now she is last in the pecking order and pretty docile, but I have had her attack me a few times too. Hope you have good luck with the roo.

 

[Chickassan]

RIR'S are a little bit demonic, sorry I know they're your babies I apologize for the honesty. Separate your mean girl for a couple of days, really seperate no seeing others no nothing then put her back. If it doesn't help try it again for longer. If that doesn't work she might just be mean and you'll have to decide what you want to do. Just to make sure this isn't a space issue on top of breed personality how big is your coop and run?

 

[Rainieb]

RIR'S are a little bit demonic, sorry I know they're your babies I apologize for the honesty. Separate your mean girl for a couple of days, really seperate no seeing others no nothing then put her back. If it doesn't help try it again for longer. If that doesn't work she might just be mean and you'll have to decide what you want to do. Just to make sure this isn't a space issue on top of breed personality how big is your coop and run?

Thank you ..The run is about 40 square feet and the coop is about 128 cubic feet For 4 hens. I may have to separate her.

 

[Chickassan]

You're good on space, try the seperation and cross your fingers it isn't just how she's going to be.

Thank you ..The run is about 40 square feet and the coop is about 128 cubic feet For 4 hens. I may have to separate her.

 

[Rainieb]

You're good on space, try the seperation and cross your fingers it isn't just how she's going to be.

Will do thank you!

 

[SonoranChick]

I have a barred rock who thinks she is the rooster and ran my whole flock ragged. I highly suggest pinless peepers.

 

[SonoranChick]

No more bully barred rock!

 

[Rainieb]

I have a barred rock who thinks she is the rooster and ran my whole flock ragged. I highly suggest pinless peepers.

Thank you! Do you put them only on the bully? How do they work?

 

[SonoranChick]

Yes, only the bully gets the peepers. It is a little plastic device that clips into the chicken's nares, or nostrils. It blocks vision looking straight forward, so the bully cannot attack, but can still see up and down. They can still eat, drink, and get around the coop just like normal. I was very hesitant to try them because I thought they were inhumane, so I did a lot of research. My chicken was so aggressive, I was to the point of either trying the peepers or rehoming her. The peepers have saved the coop, and peace is restored! I like this option because you don't have to separate the bully from the flock. Some chickens wear them for a bit, and then the behavior is corrected. Others, like my girl, need them for life. I got mine from Amazon.com, just type in "pinless peepers". The only downside, in my opinion, is that they are kind of hard to put in. It takes two people, one to calmly hold the bird, and one to put them in. Once they are in, the bully is rendered non-aggressive, whether they like it or not.