Roosting Nightmares!

[terjul]

Hi all,

I've got three girls that are 8 months old and seven girls that are 5 months and just started laying. They've all been together for a while now and for the most part the older girls are good with the young ones. There is the occasional peck to say, 'dont forget, I'm older than you, so remember your place', but when it comes time to roost for the night, one of my older girls (Barred Rock), pushes her way in between the young ones and turns into the hen from hell, pecking them hard on the tops of their heads. Instead of moving away from her, they'll just bow their heads and let her peck them while crying out. We've been trying to referee the last few nights, but nothing seems to work. We just dont understand why she's only this way at bedtime, so any suggestions, would be appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[Judy]

Roost time is typically the time when even an integrated flock does its "Puuting others in their place." It's often recommended here to separate the Barred Rock from the flock for a week, moving her to a place where they can't see or hear each other. The idea is, when returned, she will be a stranger to the flock and will come in at the low end of the pecking order. Good luck!

 

[azygous]

I've hung barriers at regular intervals along the roosting perch. Mine are stiff curtains stapled to the coop roof. They're hooked up out of the way until needed. When I see an altercation at roosting time, I drop a curtain separating the battling two. Works like a charm.

You can also fashion barricades out of tote lids and slip them over the perch as I've done in the past. This works especially well when you're integrating chicks.