3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[feathered friends]

I have three chickens that have been together since the autumn all intorduced at the same time all new to each other. Two Orpingtons are attacking the Copper Maran. The Maran has lost breast, neck and tail feathers and is very timid. I have tried letting them free range a lot, plus anti pecking spray but nothing is working. No blood yet but Maran looks quite thin, although still laying every day.

 

I have a spare coop and am thinking of seperating them today but don't know what to do with the Maran long term. Clearly she needs to be with another chicken that won't pick on her so badly. Any advice appreciated.

[chickinboy]

I've had this recently. If there hasn't been any blood drawn, and she's still laying, then I'd try seperating the culprit and try to reintroduce them from scratch. I'm not quite sure if the same applies to a pair of bullies though (anyone ) The idea is that the bully goes back in lower down the pecking order. The problem in seperating the victim is that she'll be 'new' all over again when she goes back in, which is likely to make the problem worse. Obviously if she's injured at all, then you'd need to take her out anyway, as they'll go for her if she's weak.

 

I've currently got one in chicken jail for similar offences - she's been in there for two weeks and is now being slowly re-introduced. She has an assistant though who is second in command - depending on what happens I may seperate her for a while after, in the hope that the two bullies end up lower down the pecking order.

 

Good luck!

[Daffodill]

I had the same problem when I got 3 unrelated chickens the smallest was picked on to the point of bleeding by the middle placed chicken which brought in the attention of the top hen so I had to separate the small one. She was so unhapply on her own I went and bought one of her sisters and tried them all togther again. they were all fine from then on. The smaller ones stick together and are really happy. Ive also added 2 Buff Orps last week and they have settled really well -but again stick together. I believe Orpingtons are very docile so its a strange that yours are being like that. I think boredom has a lot to do with pecking also,so the more room they have the less they come into contact and there is scope for escaping the pecks.

Good luck hope they sort themselves out