Squabbling vs. Bullying

[XanderWiFi]

We have 10 chickens, all from the same batch and raised together. Their run is 6x12 with a coop attached that is another 6x6 roughly. Their morning routine is to be let into the run where they get their morning scoop of feed and people leftovers. Around noon roughly we allow them to free range on our 3 acres. At about 1700-1800 we bring them back into the run for evening feed/snack. At night, we lock them back into the coop. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I have noticed some of my leghorns blocking and pecking at one of my polish hens (head mohawk) at random times. She still gets food. I make sure to watch and ensure she gets her spot at the trough. But I have seen her be run off and when setting separate food aside for her I have seen her get blocked. Overall, she seems to be doing well and it is completely random occurrence. Is this just basic pecking order squabbling or could I have a bullying issue on hand requiring further measures?

 

[Saint_ Marwenne_Chickens]

Sounds like it's:

just basic pecking order squabbling

Is she smaller than the others?

 

[XanderWiFi]

She is. She was attacked by a hawk a couple months ago and we separated her to nurse her back to health. She reintegrated fine with a limp that is noticeable only when she is running full speed and a claw toe bent sideways. Otherwise she roosts and "chickens" like any other. I believe the polish breed tends to be smaller than the others anyhow. I am not sure what breed all of mine are.

 

[Pork Pie]

As long as no blood is being drawn / sustained attacks, then I'd suggest there's no need to worry. Her physical difference (combined with possibly her injury / time out from the flock) are likely causes of this behaviour.

Having multiple feeders may ease the situation in addition to placing barriers within the run (to block the line of sight of would-be aggressors).

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Polish chickens sport a headdress that often interferes with their vision. One important part of pecking order behavior is the establishment of PERSONAL space or an area that lower ranking birds are not permitted to enter. I think that a Polish birds headdress leads them to often unknowingly violate the personal space of other flock members which invariably leads to the Polish chicken being reprimanded. Being markedly different, smaller and weaker than its flock mates doesn't help.

 

[XanderWiFi]

Thanks for the input all. The 10 of them seem to have split into 2 different groups when free ranging. I have the four white and one black leghorn gang and then two polish (one without the headdress?) and two others of unknown breed and lastly a sex link that is like "screw you guys I'm raiding the herb garden" where I found her after somehow jumping the fence the fatty.

 

[Saint_ Marwenne_Chickens]

We have a small, small, small hen in with our Australorps, who are much larger. She gets picked on, but only because she's so much smaller. Often the smaller chickens are lower on the pecking order.