The Wrath of Hazel

[figlette]

As the result of rooster substitutions, we have 4 chickens ranging in age from 8 to 11 weeks. The oldest (EE) is our newest, the next two (Welsummers) are one week younger and the littlest one (EE) is from our first oops there's a roo incident. The top hen is one of the 10 week olds. She has sat in the top spot through the coming and going of the two other birds unchallenged, but she is not doing well with the newest addition despite a slow introduction to a bird that has NO desire to be top hen. She is terrorizing the poor new EE. Although she no longer attacks her, she does chase, guard food dishes, block entrances and yell at the newest chicken non stop at times. Even her other loyal subjects are clearly getting jumpy around her and I have to admit that I am hating on her a little right now.

Help! How long does this normally last? Is there anything I can do to speed things along or help the lower ranking birds out during this period of senseless violence?

 

[FLchook]

How long has it been?

 

[figlette]

Although it feels longer, it has not quite been a week.

 

[cjeanean]

all of my bigger chickens are like that to my little chicks. My little chicks have to wait till morning to eat, cause once the coop gets opened all the big chickens run outside! I hope it doesn't last too much longer!

 

[ella]

It can be a month or more if it's a largish flock, they all will try to move up in rank if they can. The aggressive one is just trying to keep order. It's a chicken thing.

As far as I know you can't speed it along but you can help out the other's by adding more feeders/waterers.

I've had good luck with adding a platform in their coop or run where I can put a small feeder and waterer. The lower ranking chicks can hang out there and stay out of the way.

Hang in there it will get better!

 

[Eggseronious]

Its called pecking order! All animals of flocks and herds do this.