The Pecking Order!

[4 Georgia Hens]

Just a few mins ago, my Blue-Laced Wynadotte, who is at the top of the Pecking Order, led a full-fledged attack on my Red Sexlink, Nutmeg. (Apparently, she is at the bottom of the Pecking Order!) My Wynadotte literally grabbed my Sexlinks comb, and begin DRAGGING her around!!!!! My other Blue-Laced Wynadotte began pecking/attacking Nutmeg WHILE she was being SUSPENDED in mid-air!!! I broke the fight up and immediately plucked my Sexlink up, and looked her over. Her comb wasn't torn or bleeding, thankfully! Just before I began typing this, my Wynadottes were at it again! I'm REALLY worried! I don't want it to happen again and her comb start to bleed, which can lead to cannibalism!! Has anyone else had this problem? Is there something I can do? Any advice will be apriciated! Thank you!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How old are the birds in question? Are there more than these three? What is their environment at this time - are they in a coop/run (if so what are the dimensions of each) or in a larger ranging area? How long have these birds been together?

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

I have 4 living in a large coop with big run. They were free-ranging this morning, tho. They have been together since they were little chicks.

 

[mobius]

Is there anything at all problematic (lice, mites, broodiness, illness scratches anything) wrong with the sex link? Has there been pecking in the past? FEather pulling?

You might have to separate...if so consider taking the two wyandottes and caging them for a while? That might help reset the pecking order...

Surprises me, I have gold laced Dottes and I have never seen them attacking anyone...they seem so docile and sweet...would love to have BLWs!

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Thank you for you replies! I was very surprised when I saw the first act of aggression! Wynadottes generally are sweet and docile! Oh well! I've never had any problems with my Sexlinks. I feel so bad for my Nutmeg! She's afraid to be anywhere near the Wynadottes! A few months ago, my Dottes picked on each-other, but now they gang up on my Sexlinks. If my head Dott wants respect, well she's got it!

 

[lazy gardener]

You say your coop and run are large. But, that does not give the dimensions. How old are they? What is the protein content of your feed, and the mill date of it?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I have 4 living in a large coop with big run. They were free-ranging this morning, tho. They have been together since they were little chicks.

Large is subjective....what are the dimensions, in feet, for each? They've been together since the start, but how old are they now?

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Their run is 15x12ft. Their coop is a 5x5x5x5ft cube.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

They are around 7 months old!

 

[mobius]

That is just about the size of my coop, have a 4x12 ft run, although they are out in a larger yard area during the day. I have six chix. Now about 16 months old. Never any harassment of each other...do you let them out during the day from the run/coop?

Have to say that is a nice size run you have...

Are they laying yet? Are they still on chick starter? Is there enough food? How do they handle eating, what kind of feeder do you have? The fact that they have been mean to each other in the past, I am thinking maybe protein too!

They may be just at point of lay...how are they doing with nest boxes?