I have just started keeping hens and have 4 however things are not going well. One is very definately top hen and despite various attempts to moderate her behaviour she is bully 2 of the others, 1 in particular.
I got my first 2 hens 2 weeks ago on a Friday afternoon, they were 22 weeks old - a rhode star and a bovans neara.
The following day I got 2 more hens, aged 20 weeks, a buff orpington and a buff sussex, and introduced them to the henhouse after dark on the saturday evening.
they are in a 9'x3' run with 3'x3' hen house. We move it round the lawn every 3 days.
Within 2 days it was obvious rhode star was top hen and orpington was bottom of the pecking order. in fact rhode star was cornering and pecking the 2 younger birds.
By the Tuesday we were putting Rhode star in a separate pen next to the main run during the day so she was separate from the others but still next to them and putting them all together at night. This didn't work as the orpington was getting pecked in the hen house. We know it was the rhode star because during the day although bovans nera became top hen what I consider 'normal' pecking order and hen behaviour was observed.
From Saturday until this Tuesday the rhode star was also separated at night.
She has been back in with the others for 2 days and 1 night now but is re-asserting herself as top hen and although things are not so bad she is pecking out at the 2 younger ones and the orpington has lost all the confidence she gained whilst the rhode star was separated from them all and is now running away from the rhode star again.
I have had the hens for 12 days now, when does it all settle down and what else can I do? I hate to see the orpington in particular so stressed.
I am considering re-separating the rhode star or even re-homing her - any suggestions and advice gratefully recieved.
Hen chaos - help please
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Chantal
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You could put some specs on her. I was offered these when I had a problem and they are apparently made out of plastic which clip (painlessly) into the nasal cavity and stop her seeing forwards. She'll be able to see sideways but the minute she turns to attack, the victim will "disappear". After a while, no more attacking and they can come off.
I can't vouch for these but I'm assured they work.
I can't vouch for these but I'm assured they work.
Chantal
I know this corner of the earth, it smiles for me...
I know this corner of the earth, it smiles for me...
Thank you so much Chantal. On a very windy,rainsoaked night - after a heavenly day - you have brightened up the skies for this family 
We now have a picture not easily forgotten - a bit like something out of Chicken Run - of all these bossy hens running round with specs on 
We now have a picture not easily forgotten - a bit like something out of Chicken Run - of all these bossy hens running round with specs on -
Chantal
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Another friend of mine was begging me to get chicken specs with those goggly eyes stuck on the front and then send him photos.
Chantal
I know this corner of the earth, it smiles for me...
I know this corner of the earth, it smiles for me...
Hello Allotmentkate
Sorry to hear about your problems. You have been doing all the right things. Everything normally settles down fairly quickly when you mix hens but in your case perhaps you could try keeping the bully separated for longer say up even up to two weeks.
Boredom might be the problem. You could try hanging a cabbage in the run as a distraction - its another thing for them to peck at - and providing something for them to dustbath in. Also beak bits might work. These are plastic rings that clip in nose and upper beak so that the bird can still eat as normal but can't cause any damage when it pecks out.
Do keep a close eye on the birds because if they draw blood the problem can quickly become very serious. The wound acts as a focus for more sustained vicious attacks. Sorry to be a bit of a doom and gloom merchant.
Is it possible for you to give them a bigger run, even something temporary, so that they can get away from each other and are less likely to be cornered.
John
Sorry to hear about your problems. You have been doing all the right things. Everything normally settles down fairly quickly when you mix hens but in your case perhaps you could try keeping the bully separated for longer say up even up to two weeks.
Boredom might be the problem. You could try hanging a cabbage in the run as a distraction - its another thing for them to peck at - and providing something for them to dustbath in. Also beak bits might work. These are plastic rings that clip in nose and upper beak so that the bird can still eat as normal but can't cause any damage when it pecks out.
Do keep a close eye on the birds because if they draw blood the problem can quickly become very serious. The wound acts as a focus for more sustained vicious attacks. Sorry to be a bit of a doom and gloom merchant.
Is it possible for you to give them a bigger run, even something temporary, so that they can get away from each other and are less likely to be cornered.
John
Last edited by John on Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
The Gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men’s lives, the hours spent fishing Assyrian tablet
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
I am a man and the world is my urinal
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
I am a man and the world is my urinal
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alan refail
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Hi Kate
Sorry to hear of your problems. It is always a problem putting together birds from different sources. And I have found that Orpingtons are so meek they are tempting targets. The suggestions above are all good; if you want to follow them up have a look at this article from Katie Thear (who knows her chickens)
http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/Chi ... /index.php
Hens (note gender!) can be vicious b*****s. I don't notice a pecking order among my birds, for two reasons
1 They have no run, just a field so no getting cornered
2 They have cocks to keep them in order, show them where food is (so they think in their mannish way) and keep them from fighting each other.
I know this is the ideal, but it does work if you can afford the space and the morning alarm calls.
I'm sure things will improve for you.
Alan
Sorry to hear of your problems. It is always a problem putting together birds from different sources. And I have found that Orpingtons are so meek they are tempting targets. The suggestions above are all good; if you want to follow them up have a look at this article from Katie Thear (who knows her chickens)
http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/Chi ... /index.php
Hens (note gender!) can be vicious b*****s. I don't notice a pecking order among my birds, for two reasons
1 They have no run, just a field so no getting cornered
2 They have cocks to keep them in order, show them where food is (so they think in their mannish way) and keep them from fighting each other.
I know this is the ideal, but it does work if you can afford the space and the morning alarm calls.
I'm sure things will improve for you.
Alan
Cred air o bob deg a glywi, a thi a gei rywfaint bach o wir (hen ddihareb Gymraeg)
Believe one tenth of what you hear, and you will get some little truth (old Welsh proverb)
Believe one tenth of what you hear, and you will get some little truth (old Welsh proverb)
Hello again
Its worth remembering that you, the keeper, are part of the pecking order as well. Your birds will come to regard you as no. 1 super hen-person. In an established flock as you approach a hen it will often go into a submissive pose and cower down just to show you that you're the boss. As you are all new to each other try to get in among the birds as much as possible, talk to them and stand over them, watching them after you've thrown them some corn so that they know the boss is around. This can make them less aggressive. I've had some success with bullies by picking them up firmly when they start their antics and holding them under my arm until they've calmed down.
John
Its worth remembering that you, the keeper, are part of the pecking order as well. Your birds will come to regard you as no. 1 super hen-person. In an established flock as you approach a hen it will often go into a submissive pose and cower down just to show you that you're the boss. As you are all new to each other try to get in among the birds as much as possible, talk to them and stand over them, watching them after you've thrown them some corn so that they know the boss is around. This can make them less aggressive. I've had some success with bullies by picking them up firmly when they start their antics and holding them under my arm until they've calmed down.
John
The Gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men’s lives, the hours spent fishing Assyrian tablet
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
I am a man and the world is my urinal
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
I am a man and the world is my urinal
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allotmentkate
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Hi Everyone
Thank you for your advice and tips. I did originally give the hens some brussels stalks but one developed diarrhoea so I had stopped doing that. But today gave them a cabbage from the allotment, hanging it above the run, they have been calmer today.
I spend time every day watching and talking to them, stroking them and picking them up so it is good to know that I am doing the right things.
We are going to look at a larger run semi-permanent run for the them in the garden, I think I can fence off an area about 12' * 11' so I will try that as well. And as they get to know me I am going to let them into the garden when I am at home in the evenings.
Don't think I will go for the 'glasses' suggestion but the beak guard could be an option if things don't settle down.
Thank you for all your advice and tips, and the web link, I have one of Katie Thears books, I will keep trying.
Kate
Thank you for your advice and tips. I did originally give the hens some brussels stalks but one developed diarrhoea so I had stopped doing that. But today gave them a cabbage from the allotment, hanging it above the run, they have been calmer today.
I spend time every day watching and talking to them, stroking them and picking them up so it is good to know that I am doing the right things.
We are going to look at a larger run semi-permanent run for the them in the garden, I think I can fence off an area about 12' * 11' so I will try that as well. And as they get to know me I am going to let them into the garden when I am at home in the evenings.
Don't think I will go for the 'glasses' suggestion but the beak guard could be an option if things don't settle down.
Thank you for all your advice and tips, and the web link, I have one of Katie Thears books, I will keep trying.
Kate
I know nothing of keeping hens, so I can't help with sage comments, sorry!
My neighbours kept half a dozen chickens which they described as "free range". The truth was that they were kept in a tiny run measuring 6'*4', and the ground was just a mush of pecked up soil and chicken poo.
I kept up several years of gentle, but chiding comments about how the poor things were barely better than battery hens. Finally they decided that perhaps it wasn't fair on the benighted creatures and they were rehomed.
The truth was that I was appalled at both their naivete and their lack of humanity, but it's difficult to try to maintain a civil relationship when you really want to set the birds free!
My neighbours kept half a dozen chickens which they described as "free range". The truth was that they were kept in a tiny run measuring 6'*4', and the ground was just a mush of pecked up soil and chicken poo.
I kept up several years of gentle, but chiding comments about how the poor things were barely better than battery hens. Finally they decided that perhaps it wasn't fair on the benighted creatures and they were rehomed.
The truth was that I was appalled at both their naivete and their lack of humanity, but it's difficult to try to maintain a civil relationship when you really want to set the birds free!
Where do you go to my lovely, when you're alone in your shed...
Hello Kate
How are things now? Has everything calmed down?
John
How are things now? Has everything calmed down?
John
The Gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men’s lives, the hours spent fishing Assyrian tablet
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
I am a man and the world is my urinal
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
I am a man and the world is my urinal
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allotmentkate
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Hi John
You read my mind. I have been meaning to reply to the helpful guidance I received.
Well we built a larger run - 12' square and have put the hens in there, including their original smaller run. They also come out into the garden most evenings for a couple of hours until dusk and things have settled down at last.
At first after keeping the Rhode Star (Maude) in isolation and then re-introducing her there was still bullying going on, but this did settle down after a few more days together. The big change was the larger run.
The Buff Orpington has turned out to bit a bit of a monkey, she was bottom of the pecking order and this was causing me some distress. However we have now noticed that she pecks at the others and pulls feathers out of their necks and then eats them. If she picks on one of the top hens and they turn on her she pretends it wasn't her! I belive this means she is lacking in protein, she is certainly poor at eating her pellets - to her life revolves around the lunchtime corn treat.
Never a dull moment with the girls but at least the bullying has stopped.
Thank you for asking
Kate
You read my mind. I have been meaning to reply to the helpful guidance I received.
Well we built a larger run - 12' square and have put the hens in there, including their original smaller run. They also come out into the garden most evenings for a couple of hours until dusk and things have settled down at last.
At first after keeping the Rhode Star (Maude) in isolation and then re-introducing her there was still bullying going on, but this did settle down after a few more days together. The big change was the larger run.
The Buff Orpington has turned out to bit a bit of a monkey, she was bottom of the pecking order and this was causing me some distress. However we have now noticed that she pecks at the others and pulls feathers out of their necks and then eats them. If she picks on one of the top hens and they turn on her she pretends it wasn't her! I belive this means she is lacking in protein, she is certainly poor at eating her pellets - to her life revolves around the lunchtime corn treat.
Never a dull moment with the girls but at least the bullying has stopped.
Thank you for asking
Kate
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Diane
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Glad to hear your hen problems are sorting themselves out.
Personally I wouldn't give them any corn at all, the pellets contain all the nutrients. I only give my lot corn when the colder weather comes. It's very fattening - they don't need it really at this time of the year.
Personally I wouldn't give them any corn at all, the pellets contain all the nutrients. I only give my lot corn when the colder weather comes. It's very fattening - they don't need it really at this time of the year.
'Preserve wildlife - pickle a rat'
Hello Kate
I agree with Diane about the corn though DW still insists that our birds need a little even in the middle of Summer. I notice that you are giving it at lunchtime! It's best to give wheat in the early evening say a couple of hours before the birds go to bed. The idea is that it's a winter warmer - digested slowly to provide energy during the long cold winter nights. I think your Buff Orp has wised up to the fact that she can have a good corn feed for lunch so she's not too interested in pellets for breakfast! For a lunchtime treat kitchen scraps will do e.g. crusts, apple peel/cores, cabbage trimmings, old salad stuff etc.
John
I agree with Diane about the corn though DW still insists that our birds need a little even in the middle of Summer. I notice that you are giving it at lunchtime! It's best to give wheat in the early evening say a couple of hours before the birds go to bed. The idea is that it's a winter warmer - digested slowly to provide energy during the long cold winter nights. I think your Buff Orp has wised up to the fact that she can have a good corn feed for lunch so she's not too interested in pellets for breakfast! For a lunchtime treat kitchen scraps will do e.g. crusts, apple peel/cores, cabbage trimmings, old salad stuff etc.
John
The Gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men’s lives, the hours spent fishing Assyrian tablet
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
I am a man and the world is my urinal
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
I am a man and the world is my urinal
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allotmentkate
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Yes I think you are both right about the corn. The Orpington (named Garfield and showing all the characteristics of her namesake) will do anything for an easy life, so why line up for pellets when corn is put down right in front of her?
I will stop the lunchtime corn and see what happens. In the meantime she is being isolated during the day to see if we can break the feather pulling habit that way.
My hens like brassicas, particularly brussels spouts, parsley and fruit but don't like bread or root crops - carrots, parsnips.
I am just being too soft with them.
Kate
I will stop the lunchtime corn and see what happens. In the meantime she is being isolated during the day to see if we can break the feather pulling habit that way.
My hens like brassicas, particularly brussels spouts, parsley and fruit but don't like bread or root crops - carrots, parsnips.
I am just being too soft with them.
Kate