Weird pecking order...

[abfiegen]

I have been dealing with a chicken that seems to have major anxiety regarding pecking order establishment. Pidgey was being bullied by another chicken fairly severely. I isolated the bully and left Pidgey with the rest of the flock (four other chickens). I would intermittently mix the bully back in under supervision and in situations where Pidgey had plenty of space to make an escape. No bullying occurred, but Pidgey definitely kept her distance. I left them all together last night and when I came out this morning it was like all of the chickens had turned on Pidgey and she was in full panic mode. Although no one was pecking her unnecessarily hard it just seemed like everyone would give her a peck if she got near them. She seemed unnecessarily fearful of what I feel is relatively typical pecking order stuff.

I have tried this method numerous times over the past couple months and it plays out the same way each time. If the bully is isolated Pidgey gets on just fine with the rest of the flock. Once the bully is reintroduced it's like the entire flock takes on her attitude towards Pidgey. Why would the rest of the flock fall in line with this bully that has been isolated for so long? Have you ever seen a chicken respond very poorly to what seems like otherwise normal pecking order behavior? What would you recommend I try next?

Thanks!

 

[SmiYa0126]

How long did you keep the bully isolated from the rest of the flock?

 

[sourland]

A belated Her timid behavior when the bully is present makes her seem 'different' to the flock, and they treat her like a stranger. Something similar frequently happens when a hen goes broody and acts differently.

 

[abfiegen]

Nearly a month in the most recent attempt. I have it setup such that they can see each other through chicken wire, but not physically interact. And a few times I would let them mingle for 15-30 minutes under supervision before separating the bully again.

 

[abfiegen]

Do I need to just let this timid phase play out? Or is she a mentally broken chicken?

 

[3KillerBs]

Have you tried pinless peepers on the bully?

Have you considered rehoming either the Pidgey or the bully?

 

[SmiYa0126]

Are the chickens the same breed?

 

[CoopBoots]

Sorry you are dealing with this! I'm still learning myself so don't take anything I say too seriously.

It seems like your scared girl just had a really bad experience with this one hen. If everyone else gets on fine with her, and she can handle normal pecking order skirmishes with no issues, I'd probably rehome the bully. Bully stands a much better chance of reintegration into a new situation somewhere vs your timid girl.

Either way it's tough, and good on you for helping keep the peace in the flock!

 

[chickens 4 eva]

Whenever we get new chickens, we put the newbie(s) into a smaller cage inside the coop, giving them a chance to get used to each other without actually coming in contact. It works most of the time.

 

[abfiegen]

I have considered rehoming. The dilema is Pidgey is our favorite chicken, but 6.5 years old. The bully is a little over a year and in her prime laying years.

Pidgey is an easter egger. The bully is an olive egger. Both are much smaller than my rhode island red and barred rock.

I bought pinless peepers but was unsuccessful in getting them on her. I could try that again. Her head was moving too much to get them on and I got frustrated after about 15 minutes of trying.