They are still being so mean!

[careeka22]

My two older hens are such jerks. I get that they have to establish order but the chicks are 16 weeks now and terrified of them. They pull out clumps of feathers, chase them and don't let them eat. I have to put several food places out or separate them. They have plenty of space with a 10x30 dog run and coop is in my profile. How long will this last? The are 8 pullets, one roo. He's being picked on too.

 

[chickengirl778]

Did you introduce them slowly?

 

[bobbi-j]

How big is the coop in feet by feet? It doesn't look big enough for 10 chickens. Are there hiding places for the younger ones to get out of the line of sight of the older ones? A pallet or sheet of plywood leaned up against the run fence would work as long as both ends are open so a chick doesn't get trapped in there. Pallets on cement blocks works, too - the chicks can get under, but the hens can't. How long have they been together?

 

[careeka22]

Did you introduce them slowly?

Did you introduce them slowly?

Yes I had them in separate coops and would let the opposite out so they could meet through the fence for a while. Then had a divider in the coop and I thought they were ok so removed it. They have been together weeks. I thought it was just going to last a little time while they picked an order but it's not.

 

[cmom]

Keep a look out, often times there is one instigator. Find out who it is and remove her for awhile and if that doesn't work sell her.

 

[careeka22]

It's

How big is the coop in feet by feet? It doesn't look big enough for 10 chickens. Are there hiding places for the younger ones to get out of the line of sight of the older ones? A pallet or sheet of plywood leaned up against the run fence would work as long as both ends are open so a chick doesn't get trapped in there. Pallets on cement blocks works, too - the chicks can get under, but the hens can't. How long have they been together?

It's a touch over 6ft wide, 4ft deep excluding nesting boxes and 5ft tall. Here is them all roosting. Other than the tree branches, going back in the coop or under it, no. They have been together since the chicks were 8 weeks.

 

[cmom]

I had a hen that was the alpha. She would beat up the younger birds and she had a partner that would get involved when she did. I did remove them and put them in jail for awhile. I put them back in their pen after a couple weeks in jail and they started in again so I put them back in jail for another couple of weeks. Blue was my main instigator and Violet was second. After the second round in jail I put them back in the flock and Blue was still aggressive but Violet was better. I cut a second pop door in the coop because I had the feeders inside the coop and Blue would stand in the doorway and not let the other in to eat so I also put a hanging feeder and waterer under cover in their run so Blue couldn't stand guard over everything. When she got the chance she would attack one of the younger gals and one day while she was on one of the others I had a hose at the coop. She didn't even know I was there as she was so intent on beating up one of the pullets. I squirted her good with the hose and really startled her. She ran in to the coop and didn't come out for quite awhile. I made a habit of going out to the coop many times a day. I caught her several more times beating up on one of the others. Each time I would squirt her with the hose (it was a 3/4 hose with a fire nozzle on the end) so it would squirt pretty hard and far. If she saw me she would get off and run. She did eventually slow up but every once in awhile she would beat up on one of the others. Eventually I had a lot of birds, mostly males, I needed to get rid of so I took them to an auction. I took Blue too. Life was good after that.

 

[careeka22]

Keep a look out, often times there is one instigator. Find out who it is and remove her for awhile and if that doesn't work sell her.

I think I know now! I took her away and the other one was fine. I'll put her in my spare coop for a while. Thank you!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I

Out of curiosity, was your instigator your RIR?

 

[careeka22]

How big is the coop in feet by feet? It doesn't look big enough for 10 chickens. Are there hiding places for the younger ones to get out of the line of sight of the older ones? A pallet or sheet of plywood leaned up against the run fence would work as long as both ends are open so a chick doesn't get trapped in there. Pallets on cement blocks works, too - the chicks can get under, but the hens can't. How long have they been together?