4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[piptiddlepip]

One of my new chickens has turned out to be a horrendous bully. The other three are terrified of her. If she goes into the nesting box they all run out into the run. If she goes into the run, it doesn't take long before she's having a go at one of them and they're all running back into the nesting box.

 

I'm concerned that they won't bed down together tonight. Is there anything I can do? Should I just leave them to it? I know they need to establish a pecking order but the order so far seems to be "One chicken bullies the other three, who get on fine together".

 

The bullying chicken is the only one with a red comb and wattle - the others seem too young to have a comb yet, they've just got a bit of a ridge there. Is this significant?

[piptiddlepip]

Stop press...they all seem to be in the nesting box together and no-one's getting beaten up!....yet. I had no idea getting chooks was so stressful and that you fret about them like...well, a mother hen. I should remember, after all when I got my two cats I was forever worrying about them and cleaning up kitten effluent. I'm sure things will settle down.

 

Tch. Now I've had a call from two friends who have heard about my chooks and are about to descend on my house - and I haven't a thing in to eat! Time to get some flapjacks on the go...

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum, Piptiddlepip . Hope your bully has indeed settled down - I believe it's quite distressing to watch but you have to let them get on with it (unless blood is drawn ).

[Angels4]

My bully is Ouiser, (that's why I named her Ouiser) she has no problems pecking anybody that gets in her way. She even pecks Clairee who is the oldest of the bunch. The rest of the girls get on splendid.