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Barnyard Buddies:  Chicken Bully?  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 07:23:47 AM
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We have 13 hens, have had them for almost a year now. All of a sudden, we have noticed one of them pecking at the others; she has severely pecked right on the back where the tail joins of two of them (to bare and bleeding a little), and I've seen her pecking some others on the neck, plucking out a feather. I also think she's been eating eggs occasionally (she's white and yolk on her head feathers shows up well. . .she's up to no good!)
So what to do? We have a little coop, big enough for the hens we have, but no separate spot. To complicate it, our hens are like pets, and the kiddos love "Wendy" as well as the others. |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 08:18:26 AM
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Sheila, even though she's a pet, loved by the children, I'd still try to find another home for her. When one of our girls went after the feet of the others and wouldn't stop :( we found a home where the chickens are free ranged. She's never bothered any of the birds there, which is typical of free ranging. Left alone, this can escalate to the point where birds are killed by the cannibalist hen. None of the other hens has ever become mean... and they were so relieved to be left alone by the bully. Best wishes,
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
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WisGal35
True Blue Farmgirl
99 Posts
Cathy
Kenosha County
WI
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 08:44:44 AM
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It's been a long winter, sounds like she's getting bored. Bully hens are a problem we've avoided by having roosters (it seems that *someone* must dominate and 'entertain' the flock or the chicken universe axis tilts). Presuming you don't want the troubles that sometimes come with roosters and you'd like to try to keep Wendy before re-homing... Have you tried separating her within the coop, inside a smaller wire crate, for instance? You could even build her a small area with chicken wire, like in a corner. A few days of not being able to peck the other ladies *or* eat eggs might cure her.
With all the cold & snow, it's a good idea to feed oyster shells if you aren't already, helps prevent egg eating and boredom. A full head of lettuce or cabbage might work to keep her busy, too. If you don't intervene, the picking and egg eating may spread to the other girls, plus risk of injury/infection to the ladies getting bullied...Hope this helps. |
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artbysue
True Blue Farmgirl
218 Posts
Sue
Kidron
Ohio
USA
218 Posts |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 2:50:56 PM
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I agree that she is bored and just acting like a dominant hen. Feeding them a variety of table scraps or if it is thawed enough where you live-- an upturned shovel full of sod -- gives the hens something to hunt and peck at. Chickens love squash, pumpkins etc. too and it takes a long time to eat. That would be a good option to keep them occupied for awhile. Smash or break it up and scatter it around the coop so everyone can get at it.
artist, equine portraits, animal art, farms, barns, Amish art, fiber animal art
www.suesteiner.com www.amish-art.com
www.amulti-coloredlife.blogspot.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Chicken Bully? |
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Chicken Bully?
