The Ethel saga

[byezic]

I realize this is an old thread and the "mean-girl" is in heaven now... But in case someone is reading this looking for help ... I just want to add that it is not unusual for bottom order birds to fight, théy have more to lose. I set separate feeding stations when there is fighting, it is normally because they think resources are scarce and they are afraid of not getting their needs met. Extra food can get rid of these problems, along with making them as much room as possible in the coop and run. Sometimes they just need more room.

That makes a lot of sense. Ethel is doing much better now but she is spoiled rotten. She knows all she has to do is scream during treat time and I will make sure she get just as many treats as her sisters. She refuses to eat treats off the ground, only out of my hand. I would be lying if I said I didn’t absolutely love it lol

 

[McChooky]

I had to limit the hrs my wyandotte was allowed in the run a couple hrs a day and made her roost by herself in another coop.After she learned to behave herself she was added fulltime to the coop & run. She gets along fine with them all now.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I had to limit the hrs my wyandotte was allowed in the run a couple hrs a day and made her roost by herself in another coop.After she learned to behave herself she was added fulltime to the coop & run. She gets along fine with them all now.

You showed her preferential treatment, she knows the 'chicken-care-takers' have her interests at heart and she will have her needs met. From her perspective being put in time out with her own bowls is being spoiled. She doesn't have to fight for food, no one eats in her bowls! She doesn't have to be mean to eat, she has you to watch over her

I had a bottom girl who was sick spend a month in the house being treated (I was very new to chicken keeping and she was my first injury, I overcompensated) by the time she went back out they had forgotten her, and she had to refight her battles. But now she knew I would protect her, so even though she is smallest of the bunch and NOT the top girl, when she decides she wants the whole bowl of something she viciously defends it and they back down.

She has this attitude that reminds me of a little kid on a playground that has an older sibling who beats up the kid who picks on them. They still aren't 'top' on the playground, but no one fights them because they know the sibling will beat them up if they do.

She comes up to the back door of the kitchen sometimes like a neighbor coming over for a cup of tea. She just walks in and chats the whole time, chirping little sounds and looking around. She just gingerly steps over the sleeping dog and goes to see if there is anything in the kitchen for her.

I would say I have created a monster if this were a human who had to make their way in the world, but she is a 3yr old hen... She is just cute and special