Separating Bully

[Bostonburbs]

We have a mixed flock of 8 hens who are a year old. In November, one hen started to bully here and there. It has grown worse, but has only been feather plucking (neck, beards, base of tail). We have a movable tractor that we put them in for part of the day. Today, she and another hen went after our salmon faverolles when we put them all in the tractor. The bullies were relentless. I removed the head bully, and have separated her in their run. I will put her in the coop to lay by herself. We need to put a roost in there for her. The “new” bully seems to have snapped out of it.

attaching a few photos....the base of the separation is marked by the row of rocks.

questions:
-how do we handle nighttime?
-any other tips or suggestions?

thanks!

 

[Mrs. K]

You are tight on space, so you can really do just a couple of things:

• reduce your flock, they are telling you they are too crowded, and I know they were raised together, and it has worked until recently, but once it starts not working, it really seldom goes back unless you change things.
• I might try pin-less peepers. Some people hate them, but they do keep them from pecking each other. Sometimes after several weeks you have broken the habit and it will work for a while, generally the habit shows up again later.
• build another coop.

Mrs K