What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[pipistrelle]

My 3 girls had been very placid until the last few days. The dominant one, Tikka, has always been very gentle and apart from the fact she gets first go at things you wouldn't know she was boss. But a few times now she's got into a spat with Biryani (who is bigger). This ONLY seems to happen when they are free ranging and usually starts over ownership of a worm The first couple of times I clapped my hands and they stopped but yesterday they stopped then started again.

 

Question is, should I be stopping them or (if it's not too rough) should I let them get on with it to sort out top chook? (oh Biryani also has a bare bottom that looks like someone has been pulling her feathers, this must be happening at night and is why I'm surprised she's taking Tikka on))

 

Thanks

 

P x

[chickyhazel]

All chickens squabble over food, just let them unless it gets really out of hand.

 

Our bottom chook, Nutty pecks feathers from all the others bums, so I don't think it matters what rank they are in the pecking order when it comes to feather pecking.

[pipistrelle]

Thanks for your reply To a new chicken owner the sight of the girls doing the towering, comb pecking and then flying at each other feet first looks scary. I guess they just have to get on with it then. (will watch for injuries)

 

Thanks

 

P x