Terrified Hens

[Stonewall Acres]

I have 2 ameracauna hens that I suspect were terrorized by a couple of the overzealous cockerels (which are now no longer with the the flock) this fall and now are hiding in a corner of the coop. They seem to be terrified of any rooster, even the main rooster that they once trusted & liked. With winter setting in up here, & everyone staying more in the coop, I worry that they won’t end up having a chance to feel comfortable to come out of hiding to eat or drink. I tried separating them & put them in with my bantam girls. (The bantams are in the same coop, but in their own area where they can be seen but not touched.) They did much better with them, but they ended up bullying those girls. I guess I am at a loss for what to do. Any thoughts? Do I keep them with the main flock, and hope that they will eventually get comfortable, or do I put them with my bantams for the winter hoping that they aren’t too big of bullies. Then try to add them back once spring comes & everyone is outside more?

 

[SulkyBantam]

It's hard to know.
I'd probably leave them in and keep an eye on it if they are not being bullied at all, I would not want to disrupt the bantam lives!

How exactly do you manage your setup with bantams + large ones, really curious to know (pictures maybe)?

Good luck!

 

[Stonewall Acres]

It's hard to know.
I'd probably leave them in and keep an eye on it if they are not being bullied at all, I would not want to disrupt the bantam lives!

How exactly do you manage your setup with bantams + large ones, really curious to know (pictures maybe)?

Good luck!

I have built walls within the coop using chicken wire & 2x4s. They have an inside space plus their own outdoor run. (I only have 3 little hens) I originally built it so that there were openings so the bantams could come & go & mix with the rest of the flock, but we have one cockerel right now who is enamoured with our little silkie hen, so I have had to close them in. They can all see each other, just can’t touch.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Ok, sounds like a good setup. Bear it in mind!

 

[aart]

I have 2 ameracauna hens

How old are these birds, in weeks or months?
How old is rooster and how many other birds are they with(and afraid of)?
How big is the coop and run these birds are living in?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

 

[Stonewall Acres]

How old are these birds, in weeks or months?
How old is rooster and how many other birds are they with(and afraid of)?
How big is the coop and run these birds are living in?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

They are about 10 months old. The main rooster they aren’t as terrified of and the majority of the flock are 18 months old. I do have one cockerel & 3 pullets that are approximately 20 weeks old in with them. There are 16 birds in a 10x10 coop with attached run that is probably 1000sq’ or so. I have set up multiple roosts & areas that they can have a reprieve from other birds without getting cornered & trapped. I have noticed that they have been eating & drinking so that is encouraging.

 

[aart]

I have noticed that they have been eating & drinking so that is encouraging.

That's good.
They may just need time....and space, which it sound like they have plenty of.

Here's some tips....
The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Stonewall Acres]

That's good.
They may just need time....and space, which it sound like thy have plenty of.

Here's some tips....
The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thanks for all the information. It sounds like I just need to give it time & monitor them. (& resist the urge to jump in & help. Unless it is needed.) Thanks for sharing your wisdom!