Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: amythyst5040 on March 12, 2010, 10:32

Title: help have one chicken being bullied
Post by: amythyst5040 on March 12, 2010, 10:32

hi i have 6 chickens two pure breed which i have had for two years. recently adopted/rescued 4 exbats. all seemed ok til yesterday! I noticed one of the exbats bullying another exbat and my pure breeds joining in. The poor chicken on the receiving end now retreats into the house and wont come out to eat or drink.
have today separated the bullies into an outside run and the other three are getting on fine. the bullied chicken is now eating and drinking and appears happy. But tonight when i have to put the other three back in the situation will resume. Any advice appreciated. ironically the bullied chicken is not the smallest or baldest of the exbats she needs to stand up for herself but she wont listen to me! ::) :(

Title: Re: help have one chicken being bullied
Post by: joyfull on March 12, 2010, 11:03

There is usually one ring leader, so I would remove this one for a few days. This will give the bullied one chance to gain her confidence and the bully will lose their place in the rankings. If after this she still is being a bully then get a beak bit (available from the domestic fowl trust) and fit this.

Title: Re: help have one chicken being bullied
Post by: amythyst5040 on March 13, 2010, 15:17

thankyou will try this. have also ordered some antipecking spray.

Title: Re: help have one chicken being bullied
Post by: karlooben on March 13, 2010, 18:08

hi , birds really need to be seprated for a few weeks first until they get to know each other this could be within the main run with a part of it sectioned of , but i agree keep the bully away for a few days an then try adding her back with the others when they go to bed and then see how they get on .