Sudden Change in Flock Behavior... help

[Garden Gal]

I have a roo with seven hens who were all hatched together and who have been living harmoniously for a year. Recently and suddenly - one of the hens is being "banished". The other hens and roo won't let her out in the yard unless I am there to "protect" her. She has been spending the day in the coop but when I come in she will immediately hop down from the roost to feed/water - it is breaking my heart! Yesterday I came in and could not find her, only to realize that one of the other hens had her "trapped" in a small area in a corner under the feeder. As soon as I came in and got the other hen to move outside, "Butkiss" (she is a rumpless) came out immediately and drank, and drank, and drank. When in the yard with me, the roo will immediately try to mount her, which I won't let him do in my presence. If I step out, the other hens and roo then chase her back into the coop. I felt horrible for her!

Any suggestions or ideas? The ONLY change has been she went broody at the same time as another hen and both were removed to the brooder. However, both hens were successfully re-introduced to the flock for a few weeks before the "banishment" began.

She can't keep living like this... ANY help??

 

[Garden Gal]

Anyone??

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

This is a very strange situation....but of course, we humans don't entirely understand chicken behavior.
When the two hens went broody, did they hatch out any chicks?
Has buttkiss always been at the bottom of the pecking order?
Have you checked her thoroughly for any injuries?

Quite a mystery....

 

[alabamachick]

Could it have something to do with you not allowing her to be mated?

Maybe by you as "boss hen" saying "NO dont mate her", they think something is wrong with her?
I know, I'm going out on a limb, but hey, was worth a try!

What if you separated her for a while with just one other hen?

 

[Shifty Joe]

Just a thought, but maybe pull the top two hens out of the flock for a week. Let a new Boss hen come into it's own and your little girl might be better on the pecking order. Don't discourage the rooster from her, good roosters will stop *his* hen from fighting. After a week or so, add the two top hens back. Again the pecking order will re-establish, but your little girl might have more fight in her to keep her spot.

Just a thought.

 

[cobrien]

I would try what shifty Joe said. If it doesn't work and you can manage it, perhaps remove the next 2 alpha hens. I've had some luck with putting bullies in isolation before, but it can't be a big portion of the flock.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Interesting thought, there Shifty Joe. I'll have to remember that. Chicken Psychology 101.

Ed

 

[flockof4]

Sorry to hear about your chicken being picked on. I can't offer any advice as I have a small flock with no roo. Sometimes my hen at the bottom of the pecking order will get chased away from the treat dish, but it doesn't last long and it's only one bird that does the chasing. The ideas above seem like good options to try. Good luck.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I also do as Shifty Joe. The last time I had this problem I removed the roo and the two top girls. After a week I put the girls back one at a time(a week apart) then reintroduced the roo. After that the girls got along fine but the roo continued to pick on the victim. I re-homed the roo and all was good. I agree with the above post, If the roo isn't keeping peace among the girls it's time to get another one. He is obviously not doing part of his job.

 

[Garden Gal]

Thanks guys... how do you go about separating a roo or hen? I only have the one coop.