Aggressive hens

[Dave in Roseville]

I have 6 hens that have been laying eggs regularly for the past 1 year, and now 5 of them are 'ganging-up' and pecking at one of them. I have a divided pen, so split them up for a day, and now no change, the 5 hens gang up on the one. If she gets to close to the separation fence, the peck at her through the fence. Any suggestions?

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC! Are they all the same breed?

 

[sourland]

Is she in good health ? Sometimes they will attack an ill flockmate or one that has gone broody.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Also what does your set up look like, or at least how big is it in feet/meters? Anything in the run that could be used as a hiding spot by the picked on bird? Also how many feed/water stations are there? It helps to spread out feeders to keep dominant birds from harassing others that are trying to eat.

 

[Dave in Roseville]

They are all Gold Sex Link hens. All same age, have been in same coop over a year, and 10'x10' pen, just recently (couple months) expanded into a second 10'x10' pen. The one being picked-on has been found sitting in a nesting box many times, so maybe she is trying to 'brood'.