Smallest Bully

[einflukerx]

I am trying to introduce 3 laying pullets that I have raised from chicks to an established flock of three. They have been side by side and able to see each other for months now. When I let them all out to free range together there is one established chicken that is super mean to my smallest pullet. I break it up before it gets too bad but it is really upsetting. The bully is the smallest of the established girls though and has never been aggressive before. Does anyone have any ideas? The smallest pullet is one of my two favorites because she likes to be petted and I am not willing to let her get seriously hurt...I am at the point of considering getting rid of the two that have been acting like bullies if they won't stop. I need to get them together before it gets too cold because only the established chickens have an insulated area. Before October would best since I am pregnant and having a baby then and don't want to deal with chickens being jerks! I appreciate advice!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It isn't easy combining adults, near impossible without enough room or time, they see each other as intruders and instinct tells them to drive them off, you could try removing the bullies and introduce them one at a time. The ones you are calling bullies are just protecting their territory. It's best to integrate when they are young, then they aren't a threat.

 

[einflukerx]

The main one doing the attacking is doing it in the younger girls pen though when I have all the doors open to free range them or doing it out in the yard so it seems odd since it is not in the main coop or run...I am going to try and separate the ones doing the picking on. It is really vicious she jumps on the smaller one and digs her talons in and then tries to peck at her head and there is chicken screaming. The other "bully" just ruffles her feathers and will be aggressive and maybe charge the other chickens but will let it go once the other backs down which is fine, I can deal with her being the top chicken. I don't want the one to kill my littlest chicken though and that is what it seems like she is trying to do.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pull out the one doing the jumping, separate her for a while, I have had chickens peck open each other's skull, so don't leave them together without watching, though are you sure the bully isn't a rooster trying to mate. Once the trouble maker is removed the others may or may not be okay, I would remove her for a while, pen her by herself, she will lose her position and may become nicer. Best you can do is try different things, see what works.

 

[einflukerx]

she is egg laying so not a rooster. I do not want a pecked skull!