URGENT! How can I stop my Barred Rock (Oreo) stop pecking all the other chickens?

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

We just bought 2 new chickens 2 weeks ago..... (Oreo Barred Rock, Sunflower Buff Orpington.)

Oreo has been picking on all the other chickens, especially our other Barred Rock, Tiny. The others have a bleeding comb and missing feathers. Whenever a chicken walks near Oreo, just walking past her, Oreo pecks her hard and pulls a feather out. What's up with that?

I need to know how to stop this. It's really affecting Tiny (Barred Rock). Tiny has been staying inside the coop all day to stay away from Oreo. She has a crusted bleeding comb. I neeeeeed to know how to stop it. Their egg production has been slowing down as well from the stress of getting picked on.

Anyone know how to stop this?

 

[Warwickchickenhill]

Oreo needs some alone time,she sounds like a bully, can u seperate her ,set her up in a dog crate for awhile . Poor tiny !!

 

[pennyJo1960]

that is the main option move her to be alone for a few days if that does not resolve it you may have to re home her

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

Oreo needs some alone time,she sounds like a bully, can u seperate her ,set her up in a dog crate for awhile . Poor tiny !!

Sounds like a good idea. I have a big dog kennel for our dog, but our dog will be okay for a few days without it. I will try that. Thx for the help!

 

[Parront]

Couple of questions . . . How old are your hens?
Are you sure that Oreo IS a hen? Do you have some photos for us?

 

[junebuggena]

Barred Rocks do tend to be very dominant birds that really need their elbow room. Pics of your setup may help us all to come up with some solutions. Separating isn't going to help in the long run. It's pecking order related, and you can't exactly stop that.

 

[aart]

Did you just add the new 2 to the old 2 or keep them separate but adjacent for awhile?
What are their ages?

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Parront]

Multiple feed/water stations

Super, Extra important! They will starve the low bird on the totem pole.

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

Couple of questions . . . How old are your hens?
Are you sure that Oreo IS a hen? Do you have some photos for us?

Oreo is for sure a hen. She has no huge comb, waddle, and her tail feathers have no color and they are straight. Besides, I've seen her lay an egg!

My hens are around 2 years old. Oreo and Sunflower are the only 1 year old ones.

 

[Parront]

Oreo is for sure a hen. She has no huge comb, waddle, and her tail feathers have no color and they are straight. Besides, I've seen her lay an egg!

My hens are around 2 years old. Oreo and Sunflower are the only 1 year old ones.

"Just Askin" you never know on here! LOL! Sounds like pecking order. aart is right on on all the stuff you have to do to integrate new members in the flock. Maybe remove the offender to "segregated lock-up" within view of the others?