cx_caroline Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 *I've tried searching but not found anything that covers this, apologies if I've missed a thread though, just point me at it!* So I'm a first time chicken keeper and got my 3 hybrids on Saturday (a gold ranger/warren, a rhode rock, and a silver sussex/daisybelle). They live in an eglu go up with 1m run extension (so 3m long in total). The ranger is about 17 weeks old and is not laying yet but the other two are about 20 weeks and laying daily. The ranger is significantly smaller than the other two due to her age. To start with the older hens just ignored her but now a pecking order is developing and the ranger is occassionally getting pushed around. In the scheme of things it's pretty mild and she has no injuries or problems with access to food or water and is not depressed, but it's at bed time that it takes a turn for the worse--the sussex turns really nasty and makes a growling noise while blocking the eglu doorway and essentially mauls the other two around the coop if they try to enter. Both are petrified of her and get visibly distressed by the attacks and the whole thing goes on for around 20 minutes until it gets properly dark and they chance their way inside. Once they are all shut in (the sussex wont settle with the door open) there is a bit of scuffling around but then all quiet overnight. In the morning the reset button is hit and the aggression returns to just low level shoving (rather than attacking) and the two older hens are friendly again. I guess my query is--will this calm down shortly? At the moment it feels like it's getting worse each night and becoming a pattern. I appreciate that this is how chickens communicate with each other but I feel awful for the ranger in particular as she so much smaller. I can't change the size of the eglu, so how can I convince the sussex to get over herself and share the roosting space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 it's normal pecking order stuff at the moment which should settle down/stop after a few weeks or after the youngest starts to lay. as long as no blood is drawn just let them get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 See an old thread of mine called (I think) 'should bedtime be more harmonious?'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cx_caroline Posted September 7, 2016 Author Share Posted September 7, 2016 Cheers. I'm pleased to report that tonight things went like a dream compared to previous evenings--the boss hen only grumbled for a few minutes and allowed the others in with minimal fuss. If they keep this up then chicken keeping might actually turn out to be a pleasure (I've felt physically sick with anxiety the first few days)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
