Sudden aggression?

[emulhall]

I have four chickens living like queens in a big shed (their outdoor area isn’t ready yet). They have multiple waterers and feeders and normally seem to be happy, besides some pecking from our top girl Gwen who’s a few years older than the other three.

The order was Gwen, Chichi, Inari, & Paprika. But it seems Inari doesn’t like that anymore and is picking really bad, hackles raised, grabbing feathers & combs fights with Chichi. Gwen breaks up the fights and Paprika is left entirely out of it.

I’m worried though because these fights are pretty bad with chasing and instigating on Inari’s part. Chichi grabbed Inari by her comb and now it’s bleeding. I know blood isn’t good in a flock. I’m also confused, is this just a severe way for Inari to lay out dominance? They are under a year old, and for a long time Inari seemed to be above Chichi. But I just don’t want anybody hurt. They have a coop inside of the shed which they go in and out of, but I can lock Inari in there for see but can’t touch chicken jail if need be.

Help, I’m so worried for my babies!

 

[azygous]

What are the dimensions of this shed they're cooped up in? It sounds like stress from being cooped up in an area too small for peace to exist.

Chickens need access to natural sunlight for vitamin D as well as bodily functions that are regulated by natural light and normal exercise. It would probably relieve a lot of stress by just permitting a couple of hours of free range time each day.

 

[DobieLover]

I have four chickens living like queens in a big shed (their outdoor area isn’t ready yet). They have multiple waterers and feeders and normally seem to be happy, besides some pecking from our top girl Gwen who’s a few years older than the other three.

The order was Gwen, Chichi, Inari, & Paprika. But it seems Inari doesn’t like that anymore and is picking really bad, hackles raised, grabbing feathers & combs fights with Chichi. Gwen breaks up the fights and Paprika is left entirely out of it.

I’m worried though because these fights are pretty bad with chasing and instigating on Inari’s part. Chichi grabbed Inari by her comb and now it’s bleeding. I know blood isn’t good in a flock. I’m also confused, is this just a severe way for Inari to lay out dominance? They are under a year old, and for a long time Inari seemed to be above Chichi. But I just don’t want anybody hurt. They have a coop inside of the shed which they go in and out of, but I can lock Inari in there for see but can’t touch chicken jail if need be.

Help, I’m so worried for my babies!

Can you please post pictures of their enclosure. Do they have outdoor space?

 

[emulhall]

What are the dimensions of this shed they're cooped up in? It sounds like stress from being cooped up in an area too small for peace to exist.

Chickens need access to natural sunlight for vitamin D as well as bodily functions that are regulated by natural light and normal exercise. It would probably relieve a lot of stress by just permitting a couple of hours of free range time each day.

Thanks for your reply! Yes I’ve been working each day on fixing their outdoor area. I’m a little wary of free ranging simply because we recently had a hawk attack (no losses thank god) but it really scared me. The shed is (roughly because I am not entirely sure) 20 feet by 15 feet, and then they have a coop inside as I said that they go in and out of.

 

[emulhall]

Can you please post pictures of their enclosure. Do they have outdoor space?

I am working on their enclosed outdoor space every day but it is taking some time to complete! They have complete free range of this shed, with an inside coop that they have free access to go in and out of. As I said, they have multiple waterers and feeders, a big dust bath, and designated chicken chairs to jump on. I really do feel bad that their outdoor space isn’t ready yet, I’ve been trying

 

[emulhall]

What are the dimensions of this shed they're cooped up in? It sounds like stress from being cooped up in an area too small for peace to exist.

Chickens need access to natural sunlight for vitamin D as well as bodily functions that are regulated by natural light and normal exercise. It would probably relieve a lot of stress by just permitting a couple of hours of free range time each day.

Hi again! I have posted pictures of the coop in the shed and the shed that they live in. Like I said before they don’t stay in that coop, the doors are open to come and go. And there are windows, but yes I am working hard to have their area completed. But check out the pictures and let me know

 

[azygous]

But they aren't permitted to free range outdoors? There's a huge difference between having space to free range outdoors and a limited-by-four-walls space to wander and try to outrun a bully. Think about human prison inmates that hunger for that one hour a day exposure to sunlight and fresh air they are limited to having.