Solutions to bullying-an Eglu coop/run?

[Ccort]

So one of my girls, Maybelle, has been through one health issue after another. I am now trying to integrate her back into the flock but it's been a few weeks since she's been living with them.

It's not going well. She is getting bullied and she's so scared. Today she jumped into my arms, shaking. I now have her alone in the chicken tractor area instead.

I have nine ladies. I know for sure three are bullying are and two who definitely aren't. I've been putting her in the tractor with the two who aren't for some socializing.

I am not interested in killing the bullies. But what do I do? I considered making a larger run but don't know that it will help. Today I found myself looking at an Eglu Up or Eglu Large coop and run with the possibility of moving her and the two who aren't bullying her into that. I know those coops are small but it would only be the three of them.

Would that mess up the flock as a whole or negatively impact the two who would move from one flock to the new setup? Other suggestions? I don't want to build anything. I am terrible at it and my husband will absolutely not help.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

So one of my girls, Maybelle, has been through one health issue after another. I am now trying to integrate her back into the flock but it's been a few weeks since she's been living with them.

It's not going well. She is getting bullied and she's so scared. Today she jumped into my arms, shaking. I now have her alone in the chicken tractor area instead.

I have nine ladies. I know for sure three are bullying are and two who definitely aren't. I've been putting her in the tractor with the two who aren't for some socializing.

I am not interested in killing the bullies. But what do I do? I considered making a larger run but don't know that it will help. Today I found myself looking at an Eglu Up or Eglu Large coop and run with the possibility of moving her and the two who aren't bullying her into that. I know those coops are small but it would only be the three of them.

Would that mess up the flock as a whole or negatively impact the two who would move from one flock to the new setup? Other suggestions? I don't want to build anything. I am terrible at it and my husband will absolutely not help.

So sorry no one has answered yet.
You are right about space causing issues. Moving you hen to a coop with a small subflock is one solution, versus adding on to what you have now to keep the flock together.
I wonder if the bullied bird would continue to be bullied in a new subflock, or become a bully herself. That darn pecking order can be cruel.

 

[Ccort]

So sorry no one has answered yet.
You are right about space causing issues. Moving you hen to a coop with a small subflock is one solution, versus adding on to what you have now to keep the flock together.
I wonder if the bullied bird would continue to be bullied in a new subflock, or become a bully herself. That darn pecking order can be cruel.

They were all fine before she became sick and had to be inside. She's now at a point where I want to integrate her back in during the daytime but now I can't. As soon as she goes in, they go after her.
I've been putting her in the tractor with two other birds and no bullying there. So if I made another flock, my thought would be to have the three of them together. Yet, it's a big deal to add a whole coop and run and very costly!

 

[Aunt Angus]

They were all fine before she became sick and had to be inside. She's now at a point where I want to integrate her back in during the daytime but now I can't. As soon as she goes in, they go after her.
I've been putting her in the tractor with two other birds and no bullying there. So if I made another flock, my thought would be to have the three of them together. Yet, it's a big deal to add a whole coop and run and very costly!

I'm SO HAPPY Maybelle is back outside! But I am SO SAD that she isn't being accepted by her flock mates!

Can you separate the worst of the bullies? Put the worst offender in a crate in the coop or the run? Sounds like you need to reset the pecking order.

 

[Ccort]

I'm SO HAPPY Maybelle is back outside! But I am SO SAD that she isn't being accepted by her flock mates!

Can you separate the worst of the bullies? Put the worst offender in a crate in the coop or the run? Sounds like you need to reset the pecking order.

Hello Aunt Angus!

I'm not sure that one is worse than the others. I've been observing a LOT and three are the culprits. I've been switching them to the tractor and here to the run and vice versa. The constant switching around isn't something I can maintain.
Should I put three I'm one crate? I worry they may just go nuts doing that as they'd be so squashed.

 

[K0k0shka]

If you are considering setting up a small coop/run eglu combo for the victim and her two friends, and you know you have 3 bullies... Why not stuff the bullies in the eglu instead? Have the nice girls enjoy the larger space of the main coop and run, and banish the bullies to the smaller space. People always think of it the other way around - separating and crating the victim, when they really should be removing the bullies. If you can't bring yourself to remove them permanently by culling, then at least remove them to the second, smaller area and leave the peaceful chickens to enjoy the main space.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Do you for sure have enough space for the number of chickens that you have? I've never considered killing a bully either because that is usually a space issue. Do you have pics of your set up? Do they free range at all? I find that free ranging solves all bullying.....

 

[lomine]

Assuming your coop and run are big enough, here's my suggestion. Put Maybelle and her buddies back with the flock. Put the three bullies in the tractor in an area where they can't see the main flock and the flock can't see them. Wait about 4/5 days and reintroduce one of the bullies back into the flock. Wait another 4/5 days and reintroduce another bully. And repeat for the last one. If they go straight back to bullying, leave them in the tractor longer. With this you are making the bullies the newest members. They will need to find their new place and they won't have their little group to back them up.

If that doesn't work and you don't want to cull anyone, then I would do as others have said and separate the bullies into their own flock.

 

[Ccort]

Do you for sure have enough space for the number of chickens that you have? I've never considered killing a bully either because that is usually a space issue. Do you have pics of your set up? Do they free range at all? I find that free ranging solves all bullying.....

According to the guidelines..I forget what they are exactly..but I have a bit extra space. However, I'm assuming mine personally need more. I can take pics. They no longer free range...too many falcons and hawks. I'm quite sure I wouldn't have a flock if I free ranged. I think that's some of the frustration for them. They started with some daily free ranging and then it stopped.

 

[Ccort]

If you are considering setting up a small coop/run eglu combo for the victim and her two friends, and you know you have 3 bullies... Why not stuff the bullies in the eglu instead? Have the nice girls enjoy the larger space of the main coop and run, and banish the bullies to the smaller space. People always think of it the other way around - separating and crating the victim, when they really should be removing the bullies. If you can't bring yourself to remove them permanently by culling, then at least remove them to the second, smaller area and leave the peaceful chickens to enjoy the main space.

I thought of this too. Because I have no extra coop/run right now, I'm keeping her separate with the whole attempt of having her in the run, but in a space of her own with the hope it'll all smooth over. I really hope it well.