So many problems with our flock right now! Broodiness, bullying.

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

When it rains it pours! 3/5 of our hens are currently broody-ish, I’ve been able to break all but 1 but they’ve been extra mean as a result even though 2 of the 3 broodies are off the nest. So much pecking and bullying. Our cochin’s comb is a mess, they’re ripping it up and I’ve had to clean her up a lot. But removing her from the flock means they’re meaner to her once reintegrated. The silkie is missing patches of her feathers on her head that appear to be pecked out, no trace of any bugs at all. I just separated the two biggest bullies but ughhhh does it end? Seems like everything just went chaotic at once! They also have so much space - just extended the run out to be basically half of the yard, and they’re still being jerks to each other.

 

[3KillerBs]

Could you show us photos of your setup? Maybe we could make some suggestions about visual separation, hiding places, etc.?

 

[Grandmas Coop]

Could you show us photos of your setup? Maybe we could make some suggestions about visual separation, hiding places, etc.?

Feed too, what kind and how much?

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Could you show us photos of your setup? Maybe we could make some suggestions about visual separation, hiding places, etc.?

Yes, definitely! Thanks so much.

Here's the area - lots of hiding underneath the bush on the right, tried to put some entertainment in there. A few spots for dust bathing and perching. Any ideas to improve it are welcomed!

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Feed too, what kind and how much?

I just switched over to Payback pellets. I believe they were having laying issues with Scratch n Peck because they were picking and choosing and I didn't realize it only really works well with fermenting. They have free range on that, minimal treats but access to grass and herbs.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

I just switched over to Payback pellets. I believe they were having laying issues with Scratch n Peck because they were picking and choosing and I didn't realize it only really works well with fermenting. They have free range on that, minimal treats but access to grass and herbs.

Did you switch right away or did you ease them into it like you would with a dog or cat?
Chickens dont switch feed easily,
Scratch & Peck now makes a layer pellet.
I dont know if you have seen any of these? maybe they will help, I hope so,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/discouraging-bullying-chicken-behavior.64388/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/how-to-reform-brooder-bully/
https://backyardchickenproject.com/chicken-bullies-and-tactics-to-stop-them/
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2018/05/handling-bully-in-your-chicken-flock.html
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-bullying/

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Did you switch right away or did you ease them into it like you would with a dog or cat?
Chickens dont switch feed easily,
Scratch & Peck now makes a layer pellet.
I dont know if you have seen any of these? maybe they will help, I hope so,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/discouraging-bullying-chicken-behavior.64388/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/how-to-reform-brooder-bully/
https://backyardchickenproject.com/chicken-bullies-and-tactics-to-stop-them/
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2018/05/handling-bully-in-your-chicken-flock.html
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-bullying/

Gradual. I finally saw the Scratch n Peck pellet at the store yesterday, but had already transitioned to a different!

 

[Grandmas Coop]

Gradual. I finally saw the Scratch n Peck pellet at the store yesterday, but had already transitioned to a different!

Well, if you wanted, you could go 1/2 & 1/2 with it, I dont know the brand you are using now but if you like it no biggie

 

[rosemarythyme]

I feed both Payback and S&P so I think you should be fine on the Payback feed.

Do they have access to the grassy area all day, or only for a limited time each day? It's a good size space for only 5 birds, but it could use a bit more solid clutter so if one bird is running from another, they have something solid to hide behind. If you have any yard junk like an old wood chair on its side, a wheelbarrow, larger planter pots, those would break up the area more effectively.

While treating birds for any injuries (or breaking broodiness) do you keep them in sight of the flock, or do they get completely removed? Ideally you'd want to keep them in view of the flock so they don't get attacked when they rejoin the others.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

I feed both Payback and S&P so I think you should be fine on the Payback feed.

Do they have access to the grassy area all day, or only for a limited time each day? It's a good size space for only 5 birds, but it could use a bit more solid clutter so if one bird is running from another, they have something solid to hide behind. If you have any yard junk like an old wood chair on its side, a wheelbarrow, larger planter pots, those would break up the area more effectively.

While treating birds for any injuries (or breaking broodiness) do you keep them in sight of the flock, or do they get completely removed? Ideally you'd want to keep them in view of the flock so they don't get attacked when they rejoin the others.

We let them out on the area most of the day! Sometimes I'll let them out to the yard to proper free range, but we've just had so many eagles and hawks recently. Thank you for these tips, I'll try some miscellaneous clutter to break up the space.

I think the last point you made was the main issue. We removed fully from the flock for a couple of days, but I think she needs to be in jail in sight during the day and fine to move in at night.