I don't want to risk putting them all together in the coop again because the bully will actually draw blood and I'm not sure to what extent the damage would be.
I tried to do that but the other two do not get along in the coop. Even with me standing there in front of the coop the lesser bully would still pick at the bullied hen if her head was close.
If I put the bully in jail and move the isolated hen back into the coop with the lesser bully who just lightly pecks, will it be ok? I'm just concerned that the attacks may never end. I think the main bully is just super aggressive naturally. Attacks are nonstop and I have to be present to separate them if they get too close
Sounds like now's the time to find them all a new home.
I have raised small animals on and off for almost 50 years. Life happens and sometimes I was living in places that I could not raise small animals. Other times, I had jobs that would have made it impossible for me to tend animals - because I was out of town for training sessions, etc... I learned not to get too emotional about the situation and raised small animals when I could, and realized when I could not.
Be patient! I worked on my bullied hen for two years, kept at it, I ran intervention a LOT and sprayed the other ladies with squirt bottle (not in their faces) if they bullied her and I hung out down there with a broom and if they bullied her I would intervene. It took a LOT of time and commitment but now my girl is my favorite - we have been through so much together that we are really bonded and she is totally tame to me now for how much I stuck with it. I encourage you to keep trying! It can work!
Yeah, I might just do that before the new school year starts
Thanks, I'll look into a 24/7 feeder that can fit in the coop.I started off raising meat chickens and butchering them at ~10 weeks old. If I had to harvest my laying hens for the table, I think I could do it without much guilt. I suspect it would be easier to rehome your chickens while they are still laying eggs. In any case, I don't think you should feel bad if you have to give up your chickens for a few years while your attention is needed for your college studies. Life happens, and if chickens are in your future, you will have the opportunity to get another flock.
Understand. However, I have a hanging 5 gallon PVC feeder which has minimal loss and that is why I am able to leave it in the coop 24/7 without wasting feed. I only had to (half) refill my 5 gallon PVC feeder once every ~10 days with 10 hens. If you are feeding your chickens 3X per day, there are definitely alternatives to consider - unless you just enjoy feeding them that often.
I do spray at the bully or gently push her away with my foot if she gets too close to the bullied hen. All of them are afraid of brooms and I often use a broom to corral them back into the coop. No matter how often I spray and discourage the bullying behavior, they never stop.
