So, do new layers ever chill out over resource guarding?

[thecatumbrella]

Is it possible that, at least at the moment, Dandelion is being bossy rather than a bully? I agree with the others that the video looks pretty typical.

Does Clover have any age-mates left?

I've never seen Dandelion bully. She's just a pecking order fanatic.

Everyone is a brooder mate.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

… I've tried to get some squirt gun traction going in other threads, but no one ever seems interested. I mean, it works for cats, and a chicken is basically a cat with a sword on its face. Please report back with your results! …

I did want to let you know that I picked up a pair of squirt guns at Target yesterday to use on Trudy (the BR) but it has been raining non-stop, which I assume makes the impact less.

I noticed that squirt guns are often sold in pairs, which seems fair, but I’m not giving one to Trudy.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I did want to let you know that I picked up a pair of squirt guns at Target yesterday to use on Trudy (the BR) but it has been raining non-stop, which I assume makes the impact less.

I noticed that squirt guns are often sold in pairs, which seems fair, but I’m not giving one to Trudy.

You're hysterical. I needed a laugh today, thank you!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Well, here I am, sitting in the chicken yard, trying to read a gardening manual, and holding the Trudinator. I’ve done a lot of weird things in my life, but rarely have I felt so absurd.

Set phasers on squirt! Erm, stun!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Dandelion's very good about keeping things within pecking order norms (despite being pretty hardcore about it). I had to euthanize her former target a week ago (bird with neurological issues), so it's disappointing that she moved on to someone else. And of course it's Clover, the last of my sickly birds, with her swollen eye and bum leg.

Unfortunately chicken social norms dictate that they try and exclude birds that might be bad for the overall health of the flock, so since that describes Clover then Dandelion is just doing what her instincts tell her. At least Dandelion's just telling her to go away, rather than attempting to kill her... sounds extreme but it does happen in some flocks.

Based on your response, I'm guessing Dandelion will likely keep this up? It would be nice if she could tone it down once her hormones settle a bit. I won't hold my breath though.

Yes she will probably continue to behave this way, though you might see the severity of it fluctuate as hormone levels also fluctuate during the year.

 

[ValkerieGunn]

My husband used a nerf set to keep the chickens off the front porch. It worked great until a Guinea decide to try and eat a dart so we had to stop. After a week without him to hit them with a nerf they started getting on the front porch again. So it can work but for short periods of time.