So 2 weeks later they've stopped picking on my new girl, Willie. She really likes my rooster, and she loves to stroll around the yard with the group. My blackstar, Sissy has left her alone for the most part but my mutt-hen Lily has not let up at all- they are fine during the day doing a good job of avoiding each other (Lily beats up on Sissy too, she's just a grump). The problem we are having is at night- Lily will not let Willie in the coop at night- we discovered last night Willie was sleeping in the dog crate- which is fine for now while it's summer- We tried forcing her in there but Lily is relentless even in the dark she will push her out- I got her in tonite, I dont know how long its going to last. They seemed to settle, so Ill see in a few mins. It's been 3 weeks- should I keep letting them "work it out" or should I move her over to the other coop? The other coop has a single rooster and a single hen.
I don't know if you have certain ones separated by breed but you could leave Willie with the rooster she seems to really like, it would be a shame to make her start over in another new pen. But since Lily is the troublemaker what if you moved her over to the other pen and let her be 'low man on the pole' for a while. If I get a hen that's overly nasty I move them so they are the newbie and it changes their tune for a while.
Quote:I think thats a good idea. Move the moody one and she's more likely to be the one to be put in check. If you don't it may cause even more issues with her and any newbies you want to bring in later.
Take Lily out for a week. When you put her back she will have lost her place in the pecking order. She will be the 'new' hen at the party. That should take her down a notch or two.
Ill try moving Lily out for a bit- Funny thing is Lil used to be the low girl on the totem pole- last year after my grey hen died Lil decided she was taking the helm. She just a mean mean chicken. She used to "beat up" on the rooster in the other coop.