We have one hen being bullied

[rwoodstockn]

One hen is bullied, primarily by two other hens. They've pecked out most of the feathers on her head. We have 8 hens, all in one coop, with a large attached yard just for them. We have to let the bullied one out by herself to basically free range inside a larger fenced area, with some runner ducks.I
What might make the flock pick one one of their own. The hens are all the same breed, same age, bought at tractor supply the same day.
Thanks.

 

[Purple_grape84]

How big is the coop and the run? Do they pick on her in the run or coop only? What are you feeding them?

 

[rwoodstockn]

How big is the coop and the run? Do they pick on her in the run or coop only? What are you feeding them?

The coop is about 5x10 and the run is about 20x30. That's all inside a fenced area about 50x200, or more. They have free access between the co-op and run, and wife sometimes let's them out into the larger area. They're only closed up in the co-op from disk to morning.
They pick on the one hen in both the co-op and run.
They get Dumor pellet feed from tractor supply. Started them on crumbles, till they started just wasting it. They also get cracked corn most mornings. Free access to feed and water all day.

 

[Purple_grape84]

One thing that I have seen suggested many times ohn here is taking ot the bully for a couple days and then reintroducing her. The chickens then have to reestablish the pecking order.

In you case it might work to take out 2 or 3 of the top hens for a couple days. Isolate them from each other. When you put them back in a couple days it will be a whole new pecking order, they may forget about the bullies hen. Establish new dynamics.

Good luck.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your overall space is good. Is there anything inside the run to occupy them or to allow the bullied bird to hide or escape, or is it a big empty space?

 

[rwoodstockn]

Well need to find a way to separate the bullies. Currently we have no place else to put them.
Thanks for the information and suggestions.

 

[aart]

@azygous has a good technique and information for dealing with this situation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

Your overall space is good. Is there anything inside the run to occupy them or to allow the bullied bird to hide or escape, or is it a big empty space?

Good Question.
Lots of diversions can really help:

 

[azygous]

What makes a bully pick on one particular hen? Only the bully really knows. It could be the victim is suffering from some kind of health issue or that the victim is of a timid nature or that the bullies simply are doing it out of boredom.

The result, though, can be the victim adopts victim-hood as her role in the flock, and that perpetuates the bully/victim vicious cycle. That's why I developed a system to change the behavior of the victim, not focusing on the bully, which is only a short term solution. The article @aart posted the link to describes how to rehab the victim.

I highly recommend everyone include a safe pen within their run to deal with social issues in the flock as they arise. It's invaluable. It also doubles as a brooding pen to raise new chicks in proximity to the flock so they are socialized into the flock from day one, requiring no integration at a later date.