Isolated the Bully Hen - what now?

[PICKSTER]

Last fall my bully hen would not allow the newest pullets to go into the coop after an otherwise successful integration. I was picking them off the top of the nest box and putting them in the coop when Ms bully would chase them out. Night after night. Week after week. Since winter was coming and our winters are bitter I felt this situation would kill my six young pullets. I bought a secondary coop and with a lot of time and patience I repeated the process of trying to get the pullets In the new coop by picking them up off the nest box and placing them in it by hand. But it didn't take. So I built a temporary fence around the new coop where they had no choice but to go into new coop and was protected from Ms Bully, that worked. They could all see each other thru this time. Today since the severest of our weather is past I opened the gate for a final integration. All was well until I left the chicken run. Ms Bully returned to her vicious actions of keeping the pullets from food and water. I removed Ms Bully and isolated her in a temporary soft cage in my garage with plenty of food and water. NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH MS BULLY? Without her in the chicken run with the rest of the flock they are getting along quite well and there is peace. What to do with her?

 

[paddock36]

Are the new pullets similar in size to Ms. Bully and if so how did you introduce them into the coop? The way I always introduced new members of the coop was to place them in a pen inside the coop, where the others can't get to them but have to be around them. I would also sprinkle feed around the temp pen so they have to get near them. I would do this for about 4 days. Of course make sure the new ones have access to food and water. Then after the fourth day, at night, take them from the pen and place them on the roost next to Ms. Bully. There will still be some picking to establish the pecking order but not much. Hope that might help, always worked for me.

 

[AntiqueB]

Some hens seem more resistant to getting along than others. I fenced a portion of my run (predator-proof), added a shelter, water, and food, and left my bully in there. The only time she got out was when they all free-ranged, and even then, if she went after anyone, it was back in her spot.

It took months, about 3 or 4. But the bullied established themselves as a flock without having to worry. They gained confidence. I don't know if she got tired of sleeping alone, cold because she was alone, or if it finally clicked that she got put there when she attacked, but one day she didn't go after anyone, and no one seemed terrified. She's been ok since then.

Her solitary confinement included the start of winter. As long as the area is draft-free, she'll be ok. Mine was in a corner of the run, with plastic sheeting up 4' on all sides and a roof.

 

[PICKSTER]

Are the new pullets similar in size to Ms. Bully and if so how did you introduce them into the coop? The way I always introduced new members of the coop was to place them in a pen inside the coop, where the others can't get to them but have to be around them. I would also sprinkle feed around the temp pen so they have to get near them. I would do this for about 4 days. Of course make sure the new ones have access to food and water. Then after the fourth day, at night, take them from the pen and place them on the roost next to Ms. Bully. There will still be some picking to establish the pecking order but not much. Hope that might help, always worked for me.

Yes. The pullets are now the same size as Ms Bully. When I initially introduced them they were in a large dog pen inside the chicken run. After several days I opened the door and let them integrate. The bullying began after that where Ms Bully would attack and keep the. From food, water and shelter. The continued attempt at trying to get them to go in the coop was futile, hence the new coop and the winter for them there. No more confusion for the pullets of where to go at night and where to lay their egg. Ms Bully wants them dead and gone. So I removed the Bully to a safe and isolated place.

 

[PICKSTER]

Some hens seem more resistant to getting along than others. I fenced a portion of my run (predator-proof), added a shelter, water, and food, and left my bully in there. The only time she got out was when they all free-ranged, and even then, if she went after anyone, it was back in her spot.

It took months, about 3 or 4. But the bullied established themselves as a flock without having to worry. They gained confidence. I don't know if she got tired of sleeping alone, cold because she was alone, or if it finally clicked that she got put there when she attacked, but one day she didn't go after anyone, and no one seemed terrified. She's been ok since then.

Her solitary confinement included the start of winter. As long as the area is draft-free, she'll be ok. Mine was in a corner of the run, with plastic sheeting up 4' on all sides and a roof.

That's an idea. Since I still have the dog pen in the chicken run, I could move Ms Bully to it after her exile in the garage. That way she won't be alone but also can't hurt anyone.

 

[Mrs. K]

Sell her.

She might fit in someone else's flock quite well. You say that without her, there is peace in the flock. I always try and solve for peace in the flock, I like a peaceful flock.

I will say, that some chickens can tolerate a little over crowding and some chickens cannot. It might be the number of your flock, minus 1 is what really fits best. If so, subtract her, chicken math has to work both ways.

Or you could try pin less peepers.

Mrs K

 

[PICKSTER]

Sell her.

She might fit in someone else's flock quite well. You say that without her, there is peace in the flock. I always try and solve for peace in the flock, I like a peaceful flock.

I will say, that some chickens can tolerate a little over crowding and some chickens cannot. It might be the number of your flock, minus 1 is what really fits best. If so, subtract her, chicken math has to work both ways.

Or you could try pin less peepers.

Mrs K

That's definitely an option as her behavior was this way last fall and reappeared the instant she could gain access today. She's healthy, so maybe so!

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

Last fall my bully hen would not allow the newest pullets to go into the coop after an otherwise successful integration. I was picking them off the top of the nest box and putting them in the coop when Ms bully would chase them out. Night after night. Week after week. Since winter was coming and our winters are bitter I felt this situation would kill my six young pullets. I bought a secondary coop and with a lot of time and patience I repeated the process of trying to get the pullets In the new coop by picking them up off the nest box and placing them in it by hand. But it didn't take. So I built a temporary fence around the new coop where they had no choice but to go into new coop and was protected from Ms Bully, that worked. They could all see each other thru this time. Today since the severest of our weather is past I opened the gate for a final integration. All was well until I left the chicken run. Ms Bully returned to her vicious actions of keeping the pullets from food and water. I removed Ms Bully and isolated her in a temporary soft cage in my garage with plenty of food and water. NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH MS BULLY? Without her in the chicken run with the rest of the flock they are getting along quite well and there is peace. What to do with her?

How are things going? You could try pinless peepers on the offender. I have had great success with this. In multiple situations, the offender(s) only had to wear them a short while and issues were resolved. Good luck!

 

[ChookaPete]

Remember that bullies can change over time. Not even six months ago my head hen was a ruthless savage bully - now she is fairly timid and passive, and likely down a few pegs in the pecking order. She is still a solid egg-layer so I am glad I kept her.