Bullied chicken what should I do?

[LoveClockwise]

Hey BYC! Currently my dear Amberlink, Clockwise, has been being bullied and is stressed because she just finished molting. We are rehoming the meanies, but I'm not sure how to properly socialize her with the other chickens. She seems very nervous and has become depressed when with them. What should I do to help her?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sometimes you need to just make a separate pen within the coop if possible which can give them some peace, but they still stay amongst the flock. It may be possible to release her down the road when she's feeling better, more confident. When they act fearful they become a target to all unfortunately.

 

[LoveClockwise]

Sometimes you need to just make a separate pen within the coop if possible which can give them some peace, but they still stay amongst the flock. It may be possible to release her down the road when she's feeling better, more confident. When they act fearful they become a target to all unfortunately.

Thanks for the advice! Yes I did give her a separate pen so she could heal. When she got better I put her back with them and they started bullying again. I will have to introduce her to a new flock, and I would let her be single but the winters are so cold and I feel like she needs company.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for the advice! Yes I did give her a separate pen so she could heal. When she got better I put her back with them and they started bullying again. I will have to introduce her to a new flock, and I would let her be single but the winters are so cold and I feel like she needs company.

Can you add one easy going hen to her pen that she can hopefully bond with?

 

[LoveClockwise]

that would be a good idea, unfortunately 1 of our 3 other hens doesn't like her and the other 2 think she's terrifying. I'm hoping if I get more that the newbies might be her friend.

 

[Mrs. K]

Generally adding birds does not help, they make friends with not the bird you want them to.

With that small of flock, I think I would do the pin less peepers.

 

[LoveClockwise]

Generally adding birds does not help, they make friends with not the bird you want them to.

With that small of flock, I think I would do the pin less peepers

Thanks! Next time I have a bully problem I will do that.

 

[DownUnder-chickenwrangler]

This is probably a wildly crazy idea, but has anyone ever experimented with things that taste bad and are non toxic to paint on the backs of the necks and between the shoulder blades of bullied chickens - the same idea as bad tasting nail polish for nail biters? No idea what chickens find bad tasting but...

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is probably a wildly crazy idea, but has anyone ever experimented with things that taste bad and are non toxic to paint on the backs of the necks and between the shoulder blades of bullied chickens - the same idea as bad tasting nail polish for nail biters? No idea what chickens find bad tasting but...

There's Peck-no-more lotion which does just that but not sure why you'd want to put it on their necks and backs?

 

[DownUnder-chickenwrangler]

There's Peck-no-more lotion which does just that but not sure why you'd want to put it on their necks and backs?

That seems to be where mine are getting attacked.