Trouble in paradise! (Hens fighting for dominance)

[Ariapina]

One of my hens (the top hen) contracted Fowlpox. I moved her to a smaller coop for quarantine. She is now all healed up two weeks later. The other chickens are let out every day to free range and can see her, but now the chicken who has assumed the top position in her absence is much larger. I tried to reintroduce her today by letting her free range with them and it was WW3 between the two ladies for dominance. I understand that they are going to have to duke it out, but I’m talking beak to beak rolling all over my raised beds and not letting up from each other without my intervention. I’m talking blood drawing level of fighting. Is there any hope that they can reestablish whatever pecking order without killing each other? Tips for easing the process? Like I mentioned above, they can see each other most of the day. I tried putting new top hen in chicken jail for the day but little buddy came back with the same level of attack.

 

[Roo5]

Maybe try putting the bird in a cage within the cage,they’ll fight for forever but adventually one will move on.Once one is tired let them out the cage,and hopefully the more so tired and weaker bird will give up.

 

[Ariapina]

Maybe try putting the bird in a cage within the cage,they’ll fight for forever but adventually one will move on.Once one is tired let them out the cage,and hopefully the more so tired and weaker bird will give up.

That is a great idea! The new boss hen is actually kind of aggressive with me too. It might be better to put her in there instead of the one that was quarantined. All of the others chickens have no problems with her. Really crossing my fingers that they’ll work it out without any injuries

 

[hispoptart]

I agree I would put the new top hen in a cage for a few days and allow the old one to reestablish her top place.

 

[Ariapina]

Maybe try putting the bird in a cage within the cage,they’ll fight for forever but adventually one will move on.Once one is tired let them out the cage,and hopefully the more so tired and weaker bird will give up.

IT WORKED!!! Atleast, for now. After just a day in there I let her out to see if they’d still go after each other and the larger typically aggressive one is showing signs of submission to former head hen and steering clear from her! Thank you for the input!

 

[Roo5]

Your welcome glad I could help.