jess1merlin Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I have had my 4 ISA brown hens for a year now and they have always got on really well. They are in a cube with a standard run and come out every morning for 1-2 hours and then again in the evening when possible. If there was a top hen it would have been Sandie but there never seemed to be much of a pecking order really. The problem is that now Sandie no longer seems to be in charge and the smallest girl Dusty has decided that she is in charge and is giving the lowest hen - Cilla a really hard time, getting her in the corner and pecking her. So far she has not caused any damage but she is quite aggressive. She does not seem to bother with the other 2 girls only Cilla. I am not sure if I might have caused the problem by by trying to solve another problem I have some of the borders in the garden fenced off to try and grow a few plants, however a week or so ago Sandie decided she was going to launch herself over the fence to get to the plants. After throwing her out of the border a few times I decided to put the jet of the hose on her to try to deter her and it did work - no more break ins. I have tried spraying Dusty with a water pistol without much success and have also tried the hose pipe which seems to upset Sandie who is now scared to death of it even when its not aimed at her. Should I just let them sort themselves out? I'm not really sure what else to do and I do feel I might have caused part of the problem. Sorry to go on a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Sounds like Sandie could be suffering from loss of face Why not try the same with Dusty, not with the hose but just holding her down in crouching position so she knows you are boss not her. Don't know what you can do to boost Sandie's moral but there was probably going to be a change anyway without your help, perhaps she is coming up to a moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess1merlin Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 I am thinking of fitting a bumper bit to Dusty to try to stop her doing any damage to Cilla, I'm not really very keen to do this but she will not seem to give up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 I'd check the victim over for any signs of illness. Sometimes they lose their place in the hierarchy because of illness, old age, or hormonal reasons, ie going off lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess1merlin Posted July 31, 2010 Author Share Posted July 31, 2010 (edited) I have checked the bullied hen daily to see if I can see any problems and until now nothing, she has no lice or mites, has red comb, bright eyes and is eating well when she is allowed to. Today when I checked she has a small cut near her breast bone and a small hole in her comb so I have sprayed with purple spray. As the bullying is not improving and if anything is getting worse I've decided to take the bully out of the run. She will have to sleep and lay in a cat box and free range in the garden the rest of the time. I am hoping she will have come down in the pecking order when I put her back with the others. I was thinking of keeping her separate for 1 week but am not sure if this will be long enough, has anyone any ideas? Edited July 31, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 Awww poor Cilla, hope the bullying stops soon. I have just inherited my friend's Cilla who had been bullied by her other 3 companions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 It must be worth trying it. At least it'll give Cilla a chance to heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess1merlin Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 Thanks Plum, I will try it for a week and if this does not work will then try the bumper bits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess1merlin Posted August 7, 2010 Author Share Posted August 7, 2010 I put the bully back in the run today after her week alone and within half an hour she was back to her old tricks Think I will be fitting the bumper bit tomorrow and hoping that helps. Not sure what else to do if it fails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
