Teaching a mean hen some manners?

[imnukensc]

Try some pinless peepers on the bully. It's the only thing that worked for me. After about 3 months of wearing them, I took them off her and things have remained calm.

 

[Firefoot]

Hens can be mean as heck sometimes. I have a hen who is the top of the pecking order who used to bully her 'underlings' so bad I had to rehome a couple. This went on for two years and then I built new fences and started letting my chickens free range all day instead of being in the run most of the day. Since then her behaviour has toned down so much and there is so much less squabbling. When chickens are being ornery with each other there really is only one solution and that is to give them more space from each other... Sometimes as much space as one of them living elsewhere!

However I will say that it can take a very long time for new birds to be fully accepted into the flock by all previous members. Ive had new chickens who have taken a year to stop being targeted as the newby.

Yes they have been being kept locked up more this winter due to predators, but the meanness was present even free ranging. She would chase the pullets clear across the yard sometimes. I wouldn't mind rehoming her but I have had Marek's in my flock and wouldn't feel ethical to do so. So, either she gets nice or gets gone, I think.

I’m not sure much can be done especially since EEs and Ams are generally very timid birds and don’t really fight back you could maybe introduce a few more of some tougher breeds that would stand her ground to her but that could make it worse too. Also, the roos usually help to keep the peace and break things up so it is somewhat odd that one hasn’t but he might just need more time to mature and hopefully he will eventually.

Yes I had no idea how timid they were until these girls. They are very meek and unfortunately that makes them a target. I am thinking about getting some POL pullets this spring that are bigger bodied and more assertive (and vaccinated for Marek's ), maybe it would help. If nothing else, I'd think that the younger ones would bond easier with the new ones and have safety in numbers.

I think the roo just needs some time. He's about 9 months old and is legit the best roo I've had so far (fought off a red tailed hawk the other week!). He lets me handle the girls in the run, eats out of my hand, and also is a good protector. He tidbits to them constantly but doesn't seem overly aggressive with mating. But he's also not very big or assertive (he's an EE) and the older girls are bossy with him sometimes. I've seen him mate them, but he definitely gets the younger girls more often.

As a side note, Madeleine has been separated all day and I just went up to spend some time with the girls in the run. It's so peaceful! Sure the RIR and SLW have the odd bossy peck here and there but they all 6 ate out of my hand at the same time. It was lovely.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yes they have been being kept locked up more this winter due to predators, but the meanness was present even free ranging. She would chase the pullets clear across the yard sometimes. I wouldn't mind rehoming her but I have had Marek's in my flock and wouldn't feel ethical to do so. So, either she gets nice or gets gone, I think.



Yes I had no idea how timid they were until these girls. They are very meek and unfortunately that makes them a target. I am thinking about getting some POL pullets this spring that are bigger bodied and more assertive (and vaccinated for Marek's ), maybe it would help. If nothing else, I'd think that the younger ones would bond easier with the new ones and have safety in numbers.

I think the roo just needs some time. He's about 9 months old and is legit the best roo I've had so far (fought off a red tailed hawk the other week!). He lets me handle the girls in the run, eats out of my hand, and also is a good protector. He tidbits to them constantly but doesn't seem overly aggressive with mating. But he's also not very big or assertive (he's an EE) and the older girls are bossy with him sometimes. I've seen him mate them, but he definitely gets the younger girls more often.

As a side note, Madeleine has been separated all day and I just went up to spend some time with the girls in the run. It's so peaceful! Sure the RIR and SLW have the odd bossy peck here and there but they all 6 ate out of my hand at the same time. It was lovely.

Yeah, mine get bullied a lot too, although now one of them bullies the other girls a bit she must have moved up the pecking order lol but I do think getting some bigger and more assertive pullets would be a good idea.

Wow he sounds like a really amazing rooster!! Seems like he will only get even better as he gets older!

Aw that’s awesome!! Sadly, you may have to cull her then if she is that relentless and it seems more peaceful without her