Top boss chicken does not let others dust bathe...

[hihuckleberry]

Looks like it's a wide open space. toss a couple hay bales in there! Or perhaps a pallet or partial pallet to give them some out of sight areas, and break up the space.

Oh ok! Interesting and great suggestion! Thank you! I do feel the poor lowest pecking order one has no where to really hide when she's being chased.

 

[aart]

And I try to let them out a few times a week to range for several hours

Are they in the Aframe when not 'ranging'...or....??
How old are these birds?
Might be hard to integrate new birds in that space.

 

[azygous]

The fact that the other two leave the dirt bathing spot when pecked by the dominant hen is indication that all three have found their spots in the pecking order already.

When you see chickens pecking each other, it can have different meanings, not all of it aggressive. Chickens use their beaks to communicate with each other. If one goes up to a dirt bathing chicken and drags her beak across the other one's back, it means, I'm joining you. If the dirt bathing hen doesn't get up and leave, it means they each accept the other as an equal and everything's cool. If the hen gets up and leaves, it means she's accepting the dominance of the other hen and is showing deference by leaving.

If the dominant hen goes up to a dirt bathing hen and gives her a hammer-like peck on the back, it means "I'm boss, do what I tell you."

Don't assume it will remain this way. The pecking order is fluid and always changing. There may come a point where the dominant hen permits the others to associate with her once she is confident they know their places.

 

[lazy gardener]

You could also increase the depth of the bedding in there. some dried leaves, lawn clippings, hay, spent coop litter, garden debris to the depth of 6" would give them plenty of digging opportunities, and draw lots of beneficial insects and worms.

 

[hihuckleberry]

Are they in the Aframe when not 'ranging'...or....??
How old are these birds?
Might be hard to integrate new birds in that space.

yes they stay in there when they are not out in the yard

 

[hihuckleberry]

yes they stay in there when they are not out in the yard

Are they in the Aframe when not 'ranging'...or....??
How old are these birds?
Might be hard to integrate new birds in that space.

the birds are 8 months. do you feel the coop is insufficient?

 

[Chickassan]

I think she's just being top hen, they're always jerks or it looks that way. Top hen here is tiny but she makes a habit of moving the "lesser" hens if they look content even in a huuuge space. She does it with absolutely anything food,dust,water .Top hens have three main weapons pecks, growls and the stare of death!

 

[aart]

the birds are 8 months. do you feel the coop is insufficient?

It's probably fine, might just take time for them to settle in.
Would be hard to integrate any more.

 

[hihuckleberry]

It's probably fine, might just take time for them to settle in.
Would be hard to integrate any more.

great thanks so much!

 

[Mrs. K]

By adding a few pieces, it will look more cluttered, but it will be so much better for your hens. Add a roost pole, a small pallet up on blocks so birds can get under it and on top of it. Gives a bit of shade in the summer, a place to bask in the sun. It allows birds to have a time out and get away from the other birds if they want to. Even a mini wall, where a bird can walk behind and get out of sight of the others is good. Make sure there is two exits to anything, so as not to create a trap. An old chair is good too.

When I first started, I too, just had bare dirt, but I have for the last several years, added quite a bit of bedding to the run. Keeps the chickens cleaner, makes good mulch for my garden. Mrs K