keyhole kate Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I had noticed one of my was looking particularly scruffy but as they all seem to be in different states of moulting thought no more of it until today I witnessed Valerie jump on merryweather's back pin her down like a cockrel would and grab the few feathers on the back of her head the poor little soul has left. Seriously guys it looked mean any advice would be appreciated I work full time so the girls spend a lot of time in there run however I always let them out when I get home until there bed time. Sorry for the long Post I am still Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I know how that feels . Maisie is still attacking poor little Poppy although I think it's getting slightly better . I'm separating Maisie till it settles down (I hope and pray it does ). Is that an option for you? I have a bumper bit as a last resort . We're going away and I'm worried about leaving them together in the run for 5 days . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Thanks ANH Yes thankfully I knew it was wise not to sell it I have an empty that I could put the bully in how long do you think I should seperate her for I am guessing there has been a power shift since I lost maisie as she was top chook and like a grand old lady kept order Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I've had Maisie in the sin bin since a week past Sunday. She's in there on the days I'm at work (Mon - Wed) but I let them all out together the rest of the week. As I say, I think it's getting slightly less aggressive but I still don't trust her . The danger zone seems to be when Poppy's in the nestbox and is less likely/able to get away . I'd leave her a few days then try her back with the others. You'll just have to play it by ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 I'd keep her separate for a good few days, so that she loses her place in the pecking order. When you reintroduce her, giving her an icy blast with a hosepipe every time she does it, if you can spend an afternoon supervising, can help shock her out of it. Hauling her off whenever she starts, and making her submit to you can also make her see that she isn't the boss. If all else fails, a bumperbit will help. I have found them useful, and once the initial surprise is over, they manage well with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 I have to say bumper bits are my first port of call if dustups look likely and whenever I ma introducing new chickens to old. I was a bit reluctant the first time as they looked fiddly to get in but I can get them in fine on my own now and they have given me more peace of mind than anything else as I know the bullies can't do any real damage to their victims. That said, I agree with Egluntine about isolating her a reshuffling the pecking order a little. Let us know how you go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 When Betty was bullying Poppy, we separated her for a week by putting her in an eglu and that worked - so may be worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 That said, I agree with Egluntine about isolating her a reshuffling the pecking order a little. Who?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 That said, I agree with Egluntine about isolating her a reshuffling the pecking order a little. Who?! In seriousness though, I think giving them a bit of "rough justice" is not a bad idea. One of my new girls Susan has been a bit of a bully with Nyssa, not feather pecking and causing damage but hassling her running at her, looking like she's going to peck her, poor Nyssa has been spending most of her time on top of, or inside the cat carrier that I have in their intro pen. So yesterday I gave Susan a few "timeouts" with some of my big girls that I knew would put her in her place but could be trusted to do her no harm. I thought if she had a taste of her own medicine it would help her. She is still hassling Nyssa but its not as relentless as it was. I am hoping a few more timeouts with the big girls and she should calm down until they are fully integrated (which will be a good few weeks yet, as they only arrived on Saturday) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevtheplumber Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 dipper my bully has been in solitary for a week now, they got a glimpse of each other the other day and all hell broke out trying to out scream each other, going to keep her in until giblet has regrown her feathers which are coming along nicely, when i let dipper back in if it kicks off ill get rid. Not worth the aggro, poor Giblet was scared to death of her. Will be interesting to see how all our little experiments go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 6, 2009 Author Share Posted October 6, 2009 Thanks everyone I plan to seperate miss meanie into the solitary confinement of the tomorrow after work for at least a week then re try her any nonsense and back she goes. I am actually more concerned about her jumping on poor merryweather as she it my littelest girl and being hurt by miss meanies claws as much as the pecking of her head, I will update you all of progress Thanks Again Guys KK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annieblue Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 My problem is that one of the girls is being picked on by almost all the others. I've only had them ( 6 ex batts) since last Saturday and am new to chook keeping anyway. One of the chooks hardly looks like a chicken at all and she, Pip, is the one that gets picked on. I have to say though, she is so affectionate, follows me around, is always first out when I open the door in the morning and always comes straight to the edge of the run to say hello. She'll happily sit on my knee and have a cuddle - this in 5 days! So, my question is, could the fact that she gets more attention from me, smells of humans, doesnt look like a chicken and generally doesnt hang around with the other chooks mean that she's less likely to integrate with the others? Some of the others get pecked too but Pip is usually the one who gets the most. Any thoughts please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 It could be as simple as looking differnt. Also smallest... Someone has to be bottom, long as she can duck out of the way! Have you got some physical barriers in the run so she can get out of the way, or behind or on something? Can you see if 1 or 2 are worse than the others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 Ah Bless I cant offer any advice I just wanted to say it brings a lump to your throat that in such a short time Pip has given you such trust You might be newbie but your obviously a natural chicken Mummy Well done you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annieblue Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Yes, there are things she can get behind and she's very good at getting out of the way but it still goes through me to see her getting pecked. I've no idea why she is so very different towards me than the other 5. They don't get in a mad panic or anything but won't approach me when they're outside in the garden (always supervised of course), whereas Pip just follows me and pecks at my feet or my watch if I'm bending down. Funny little thing she is. I tried putting photos of the girls on here last night but failed miserably. I'm really useless with this technology stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 ahhh bless. I had a "special" girl too. one of 3 ex bats, the other 2 (all came together) picked on her mercilessly and chased her constantly unless free ranging. I got her a friend. So very glad I did too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
