[swm]

Hi,

I am having severe bullying problems. I have 4 hybrid hens (it was 5) and the lead hen pecks holes in the others, and actually killed one in Christmas week in the two hours between opening the pop hole and going back to check that water hadn't refrozen. They have a large coop and a 24square metre run. Currently the boss hen is shut in a egloo within the main run to give the others a chance to heal.

Do you think a cockerel put a stop to this and if so do you have any recommendations for a breed that can keep order without upsetting the neighbours with early outbursts. Would you put the cockerel in with the woundeds and then add the boss hen later, or try putting them all together at once.

If a cockerel wont do the biz is there any alternative to bumping off (or giving away) the boss. I would hate to lose her as she is a very people friendly hen.

Thanks

Sam

[plumseverywhere]

we have a new cochin cockeral called coco. he's huge, mute and ...totally henpecked.  we have a bullying issue too, one of the bluebelles and one of the black rocks rule the roost. hopefully coco will start to sort them out as he gets older.
the breed is apparantly quite good for not being too loud which is why we chose him 

[OhLaLa]

I had one that used to go for me, she never learnt any better. Fox got her one lunchtime but she would have gone in the pot if he hadn't. Unfortunately, I don't think your hen will stop and it's not fair on the others, especially if it is so severe she is injuring or killing the other birds.

I would keep her permanently removed from the flock and let them heal before introducing any other birds.

 

[northfifeduckling]

mine still fight with a boy around but not as bad. I heard you can try to increase their protein in feed to reduce the pecking. worth a try. 

[princesspiggy]

i would separate her asap, and not re-introduce til all bloody bits have healed up, or it will carry on. do they have enough space? unless she was a valuable breeding hen, i personally would cull her if u cant find a solution.
iv had a few problems this week aswell, our youngsters from last year are now maturing and think spring is in the air. a large young cockeral tried to mate with a smaller breed of hen and ripped off her neck skin in his enthusiasm, shes quite a mess but im hoping she'l pull through. and our resident cockeral has been beaten up, so had to separate and change things around. the larger young cockeral is now out with the the sussex hens, who are mucher larger and robust, and will kick his toosh if he misbehaves.
our rare breed poultry sale isnt til may so will try and keep peace til then!!

[swm]

Hi princesspiggy,

Thanks for the response.

I think they have enough space, they are in a square made out of 50metres of electric netting, and there are only 4. I could drop the netting and let them free range in the paddock which is approx half an acre and is well fenced and see if that helps. Reading another posting about bullying I have ordered some bumpers and will fix one on her beak when I eventually reintroduce her from the egloo. What is weird is that the bullied hens will still go right up to the bars on her run when you think they would have the sense to stay away.

This will be her last chance. If we cant cure her she will have to go.

good luck with yours

Sam

[ellisr]

You really need to remove her completely and out of sight the others. This will put her down the pecking order if you leave it a few weeks. There may be some squabbling with the others as the pecking order is re-established but it should not be violent. Spray all wounds it purple spray so that no other chicken is drawn to the red blood and then stand back and enjoy.
Please remember that these birds can be cannibals and sometimes you do get one that is horrid. I have always use the complete seperation method and touch wood have never had to cull one yet.
I normally have 2 or 3 small flocks so I will put the horrid one in with another flock and that can also bring them down a peg or 2.

[princesspiggy]

plus, the anti-pecking spray is really good - tastes revolting!! (i know  )

[OhLaLa]

Or the spray to stop pigs tail biting - fouler (pun not intended) stuff I have never come across. Even the smell stays with you and seems to linger...... indescribable.......

  

[doganjo]

A friend gave me one of his hens as she was doing the same - attacking and trying to kill his younger/smaller birds.  We thought coming to a mature flock might stop her.  It didn't, but when Jamie matured it did - he went for her every time she tried to have ago at one of the other hens, and eventually she stopped.  She is absolutely fine now.  Unfortunately I had to give Jamie away as he was too noisy for one of my neighbours who is on shift work so needs to sleep in the daytime, but he has three black rock girls to look after.