Top Hen Bullying 9 week old Pullets

[Abby11182]

We slowly and gradually integrated our pullets in with our year old hens, and ever since the beginning of the process one of the hens has chased them and pecked at them. I assume she's just putting them in their place in the pecking order, but is there anything I should be doing about it? The other girls leave them alone, but the one has them scared silly. No blood has been drawn, some feathers have been pulled during the chase-downs though. Would it mess up the flock if I separated the bully for a while?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Sometimes this is necessary. She may well be the alpha hen or least an enforcer. It often works better to remove such a hen during this time. It will take more than a week for her to be taken down a notch, so keep her out, if you do, for a long period of time before re-introducing her. Hopefully the new pullets will have gained in some confidence by then.

Keep an eye out for another bully to take her place, though. A nine week old is pretty young to be standing up to the abuse that mature hens can dish out.

 

[Fred's Hens]

BTW, what are you feeding this mixed age group?

 

[walker12]

Hi! While your on the subject of feeding mixed age groups, is it ok for the hens to eat chick crum?i can't really stop them...thanx

 

[Fred's Hens]

All birds of whatever age can each Starter (non-medicated) or Grower or Raiser or All Flock.

The only birds that should be eating Layer, however, are actual laying hens. Only they can rid their bodies of the added high calcium that is put into Layer. Hope that helps.

 

[Abby11182]

Feeding them grower now with oyster shells on the side.

 

[walker12]

Great help thanx!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Quote:
Quote: That's normal.

Quote: Once you remove or cull the dominant hen the worst thing that can happen is that every hen on the place will start fighting every other hen and pullet in a bid to replace the hen that is currently at the top of the pecking order.