Would adding 1 or 2 new pullets help the picking on?

[Traffie Chickens]

So I have a flock of hens, and I later hatched out 3 chicks, (1 female, 2 males) we couldn’t keep the males, so we gave them to friends, and just integrated the 1 female into our flock of hens. Ever since we got rid of the males they have been picking on the female. I know it’s normal behavior, but she is looking rough now. I have heard that it’s because she’s singled out, so do you guys think if I get 1 or 2 more young pullets for her, will it help the picking on her at all? Thanks!

 

[Traffie Chickens]

Also, if so, any recommendations for where to get young pullets?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How old is she and is she laying yet? How old is the rest of the flock? If she's not laying then the pecking order should smooth out once she starts.

Also how many birds do you have and how much space? Adding more birds is more likely to make issues worse if you don't have ample space to start with.

 

[Traffie Chickens]

She hatched on march 24th of last year, and so yes she has been laying for quite awhile now. And the others hatched on April 9th of 2023. We have 7 birds including her. I don’t remember the exact measurements of the coop, but here is a picture.

(This picture was taken a couple months ago)

 

[Mrs. K]

Generally more birds makes things worse unless you cull birds too. Generally what happens is you have one or two leaders, and the rest are followers. Culling the mean leaders can help.

But really in your situation put everyone in pin less peepers for a while might help.

Or cull the victim, sometimes some flocks are very sensitive to over crowding, might be you have one to many birds.

She may also look rough if she is about to molt.