amys garden Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 We have a new trio of girls Hazel (maran curvier) is bullying Dottie (barred rock) Hazel pecks,runs at her and shoos Dottie away from Flo our other girl (Sussex ) Dottie is the smallest friendliest and most curious of all the girls and I feel very protective of her, rediculous I know but Hazel even looks like She's frowning when she charges So far I haven't intervened and keep reading contradicting advice They've been with us since Saturday Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Welcome to the forum. Is any blood being drawn? If not, I would just let them get on with it. It looks upsetting to us, but they need to sort out the pecking order, and then everyone feels secure. It's almost impossible to influence this, and if you try to change it then it just leaves the hens confused - they need an order of status. It might be worth putting in an extra feeding station - ice-cream tubs or cat bowls or something will do temporarily - just to make sure that Dottie can get food and water. Hazel won't be able to guard two at the same time. They will settle down - Dottie may end up as 'bottom' chicken, especially if she is smaller than the other two, but she will be fine. Chickens don't get hurt feelings like we do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I had some screaming and bullying from one of my new girls.It was so bad I.. wrote on here about it , went round to my neighbour to say sorry for the noise, was nearly in tears, wondered if I had done the right thing. 3 weeks later they were the best of pals.Now Poppy (the bully) and Rosie (bottom of the pecking order) are the best of friends. If it carrys oin too long seperate the bully from the others for a while to put her in her place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amys garden Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 Thanks so much for your advice! I was worrying I done a crazy foisting the girls on my family and then Finding they are fighting so much It's great to know I haven't done something terribly wrong and other peoples girls also fought I'm realy enjoying their company in the garden There plumage is SO beautiful and they are such funny characters Ps how do you get to put those great icons showing your pets on your Status? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Instructions for adding icons to your signature are here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amys garden Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 Thanks for the info Couldn't find the sign prob cause I do it all from my I-phone ... The girls seem to be happier - no blood yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
