Guest Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 one of them, Maud the marauder, is bullying the others- she chases them into the coop and then goes in and chases them out and as they go past she pecks them or she delibertely chases them around pecking them. After all they've been thru, it's upsetting to watch. Is it normal, are they establishing a pecking order, when will it stop!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Yes, it's normal and yes, they are establishing a pecking order. Make sure they can all get to the food and drink, and that the bossy one is not preventing this. So long as no blood is drawn, leave them to it. It will settle down. Don't expect overnight miracles though....it will take a little while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Poet, Not sure why I'm typing this cos I'm a complete novice but maybe - just so you know that there are others feeling the same. Our girls are similar. The Sussex we initially named Sam (Sam and Ella!) has been re-named ASBO. When they're free-ranging she flaps her wings, lowers her head, runs round in a circle and then squares up to one of the other four. The bluebelle stands her ground for a while, as does the other Sussex they then give in and run. The Maran spots her coming and usually ducks out of the way avoiding any confrontation. I'm told that once an 'order is established and they get used to their new surrounding, that the pecking will abate. I have a book that tells me that free-ranging chickens do not have any conflict but mine only have conflict when they're free-ranging! Confusing, worrying etc but there's actually no evidence of any injury and they've been at it for over two weeks. Good luck. Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Yes, I agree. Perhaps have some extra pots of food & water so that Top Hen can't guard them all, & she'll feel secure in her place when she knows there's always enough food for her! When they accept her dominance & she realises they do, it'll settle down. All the pecking order needs establishing it so, thinking about it, sometimes Top Hen is sorted but 2nd & 3rd places need proving, but they soon all find their places. It's worse if you hover, so try not to watch, pecking & chasing is normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 thank you for the moral support and advice. DH is finishing off the outside bit today so once they have more room to get out of each other’s way etc I’m hoping that will help. We will be putting other food and water containers outside too. I said to DH that I can't go out there again until he's finished it as I can't watch the bullying! The advice leaflet from the BHWT says they take a few days to get this to stage!!! Ours have taken 24 hours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 First of all congrats on your new girls and their egg! The pecking order will sort itself out and I agree its horrible to watch. Our Dusty and Cilla had some horrendous stand-offs until Cilla gave up and decided Dusty could be top chook. Little Petula - noisiest in the car on the way home - has always accepted being bottom and is very submissive. When we put the ex-batts in with the omlet girls Cluck became top chook, which Dusty has found hard to accept. It s a bit sad as she is a bit of a loner now as she can't quite cope with not being top chook. Petula proved herself happy to fit in anywhere and quietly ranges beside the omlet girls without too many pecks from Cluck to remind her who is boss. It will get easier. Because they have a few bald patches it migh be worth having purple spray to hand to put on any red bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 It will get easier. Because they have a few bald patches it migh be worth having purple spray to hand to put on any red bits. Purple spray? Not sure significant OH will take kindly to a Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen style Sussex Lite. What is it. Is it like the Gentian Violet stuff my mum used to use? Can't even remember what she used it on. Just going to school with purple patches. I feel like it the sort of stuff that would be good to have on standby so more info would be good. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Yep...its Gentian Violet. Just be glad your mum used that on you and not Friars Balsam like our did. You pretty soon learned not to moan about grazes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 the bloke at the pet shop told us powder was better so we've opted for that- on standby just in case! Hoping we won't have to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James H Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 sound quitenormal, when i got my 3 bantams in july they spent about 2 and a half weeks establising a pecking order, now they all live in harmony! once the pecking order is sorted out everything should be fine! no worrys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
