Two bullies.... should I give away?

[Vikinglike]

I have 11 total chickens.
Six Buff Orpingtons and 5 Gold Laced Wyandotte’s. Two of the Wyandotte’s are jerks. They appear to be #2 and #3 in the pecking order. They go out their way to peck the lower chickens, apparently for no reason at all.
The reason why I’m posting is that I know a guy who is building a flock and will take them. If I give them away, will everything be harmonious, or will two other chickens become jerks?
I feel bad giving them away, but I feel like it’s best for the flock.

 

[cherrynberry]

Do they leave missing patches of feathers?
Do they peck so your chickens bleed?
Did you just add them to the flock? or did you recently at chickens to your flock?

 

[Offshoreorca]

I have 11 total chickens.
Six Buff Orpingtons and 5 Gold Laced Wyandotte’s. Two of the Wyandotte’s are jerks. They appear to be #2 and #3 in the pecking order. They go out their way to peck the lower chickens, apparently for no reason at all.
The reason why I’m posting is that I know a guy who is building a flock and will take them. If I give them away, will everything be harmonious, or will two other chickens become jerks?
I feel bad giving them away, but I feel like it’s best for the flock.

It's always worth trying to figure out if the issue is rooted in something else. How you introduced them? Lack of space? There are guidelines for these, but this varies between breeds as well as individual chickens. It's not always as simple as following someone's advice and having all be fine/dandy

Some pecking for order/dominance will happen regardless, but you could see if enrichment of some-sort like a Flock Block will divert some of this bullying as it can be winter boredom or many other causes that are fixable. Are they causing injury or undue stress to the young birds? Do the ones being picked on have safe spaces to run away to? If so, and they aren't using them, then it's likely not effecting them as much as it seems. How long has this been going on?

If you do decide to give them away and the same thing happens again, then it is probably something that you could fix (like living space).

 

[Vikinglike]

It's always worth trying to figure out if the issue is rooted in something else. How you introduced them? Lack of space? There are guidelines for these, but this varies between breeds as well as individual chickens. It's not always as simple as following someone's advice and having all be fine/dandy

Some pecking for order/dominance will happen regardless, but you could see if enrichment of some-sort like a Flock Block will divert some of this bullying as it can be winter boredom or many other causes that are fixable. Are they causing injury or undue stress to the young birds? Do the ones being picked on have safe spaces to run away to? If so, and they aren't using them, then it's likely not effecting them as much as it seems. How long has this been going on?

If you do decide to give them away and the same thing happens again, then it is probably something that you could fix (like living space).

I’m sorry.
All birds are 2 years old, and have been together since day 2. They have plenty of room, 8x8x8 coop, inside a horse stable, and an inside run 12x24.
They is a lot distractions. Bails of straw, a large swing, perches, big ladders, dust bathes. But these two just seem to go after others.
thank you.

 

[Offshoreorca]

That certainly sounds like more than enough space for what you have - thanks for clarifying. Do they cause injury to the others? Actively chase them around or just go after them when they are in the vicinity? If only the latter, then this is normal for chickens.

I would be tempted to give them away if you can't pinpoint a reason for the issue and you think that the bullying is actually causing problems/harm for the other chickens.

If you continue to see bullying, then you will have to make sure that any new birds you bring in are docile enough that bullying shouldn't be an issue (pick breeds that are well-natured, but not complete pushovers).

 

[Vikinglike]

I’m sorry.
All birds are 2 years old, and have been together since day 2. They have plenty of room, 8x8x8 coop, inside a horse stable, and an inside run 12x24.
They is a lot distractions. Bails of straw, a large swing, perches, big ladders, dust bathes. But these two just seem to go after others.
thank you.

Other chickens are afraid to even go near them, and hesitate to in the coop at night. And they drop down to submit, but still get repeatedly pecked. I see a lot of bruised and scabbed combs.

 

[Offshoreorca]

Other chickens are afraid to even go near them, and hesitate to in the coop at night. And they drop down to submit, but still get repeatedly pecked. I see a lot of bruised and scabbed combs.

That's no good then. Fear of going in the coop of night and major evidence of abuse is not part of a healthy flock balance.

 

[aart]

I feel bad giving them away, but I feel like it’s best for the flock.

Go for it, you'll be glad you did!

 

[SusannasMom]

I will gladly take them off your hands!!

 

[LaFleche]

Other chickens are afraid to even go near them, and hesitate to in the coop at night. And they drop down to submit, but still get repeatedly pecked. I see a lot of bruised and scabbed combs.

They might need a rooster to keep them in check.