Bullying hen

[Anonymous]

i have a white sussex hen which is around 18 months old.Also i have two copper black marrans,speckeldy and a white star along with a plymouth barred.The marrans and speck were introduce together tehn at a later date the white star.All four settled quick and peaceful.A few weeks later a was given the two other hens and every since teh white sussex is been such a bully,to the small hens.She leaves the plymouth barredd alone but picks on the other 4. Am getting to a point where am looking at off loading,anyone get any ideas what to do.

 

[Marigold]

You could try isolating the Sussex for a week or two, if possible right away on her own where she can't see or interact with the others. Make a temporary run and house if you don't have spare facilities, it's very useful to have something like this if you keep chickens. Failing this, divide your run with netting and keep her on one side of it so she can't bully the others. Then, when she eventually is allowed back, the pecking order will have changed and she'll be at the bottom and will have to find her own level from whoever has become the top hen in her absence. Or you could put her with the plymouth barred whilst she's away from the others, so she isn't too stressed and lonely, as they seem to be friends. This may help to 'dilute' her bossiness when she is reintegrated, as she'll have a friend to go around with.

 

[Anonymous]

i have tired everything tonight was the last straw.She woudnt let my other hens tonight she stood at coop door pecking them away.So she is spending the night in the shed.Have to decide what to do with her in morning.

 

[chrismahon]

Marigold is spot on but I would leave her completely isolated. Worked for a bully hen we had who started when another hen came back into the coop from being alongside in a broody run. We kept her in the same broody run for a few days nd she came out as quiet as anything. Month later she is her old self but not bullying anymore. Mind you Dandelion has always been nasty -none of the others like her. She has massive spurs which have to be trimmed regularly but lays well. Very noisy too -constantly. Won't have a R. I. Red again.