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Related: About this forumPet Chickens problem. My daughter got into hobby chickens.
There were originally four chickens named, General Tso, Nugget, Tender and Fil-a. (Really). No, they won't be eaten when they finish laying.
Anyway, she bought two more and there was trouble introducing them into the cage. Nugget and Tender get along with the new ones. Fil-a and General T fight with the new ones.. The general is the worse offender. He claws at them and pulls out their tail feathers.
My s-i-l demoted the general to Colonel. That hasn't helped. The colonel is now in solitary, in a pen that is next to the other five.
Any thoughts on how to stop the aggressive chicken?
Corvo Bianco
(1,148 posts)I have no chicken experience but I like chicken tales.
Floyd R. Turbo
(28,901 posts)Corvo Bianco
(1,148 posts)Floyd R. Turbo
(28,901 posts)3Hotdogs
(13,363 posts)Floyd R. Turbo
(28,901 posts)procon
(15,805 posts)You don't need a rooster to get eggs. They will fight continuously, and they can really wear out the hens in a very small flock. Chickens have a natural pecking order and you have to let them work out who is the boss. Make sure their pen is large enough and has obstacles to hide behind or jump up on so the lower ranks birds can escape. Logs, tree branches, even cardboard boxes will help.
You can do things to distract them like throw out scratch feed to keep them occupied. If it's safe, let them out out to range for a few hours. Offer a pile of leaves or lawn clippings to keep them busy. Give them a pile of sand to 'bathe' in, or get a shallow plastic container and put in a couple of inches of water so them can occupy themselves with a bath.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)handmade34
(22,902 posts)that is the problem... hens very seldom will fight like that
tonyt53
(5,737 posts)Pour scalding hot water over its body, pluck its feathers, cut out its innards, cut it up, and have it in the skillet of hot lard cooking in less than 15 minutes. Of those innards, she cooked the heart, liver, and gizzard too. If is was during the summer, she cooked it on a wood-fired stove on the back porch. She also did her canning there too.
The River
(2,615 posts)Ever hear the phrase "Pecking Order"?
Chickens, like a lot of other lifeforms, create a hierarchy
or social order. pecking at (or picking on) others sorts things out.
The rose colored glasses neutralize the color red, which chickens think is blood and they attack it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_eyeglasses
3Hotdogs
(13,363 posts)Bantamfancier
(385 posts)tell us what breeds you have?
Certain breeeds are known for their aggressiveness and won't work in a mixed flock.
Procon gave you the answer to your issue. They have to work it out on their own.
Once the pecking order is established, the beating will lessen but still continue.
Giving them a place to hide helps a lot. It can be as simple as a couple of pieces of plywood in a A-frame shap, just big enough for one hen to get in.
We have one rule in our flock:
"Be nice or be tasty."
Any agressive animal is shown the door. We have grandkids and will not allow any bird to challenge our little ones.
3Hotdogs
(13,363 posts)pen. This was from Thursday to Saturday.
This morning, she was returned to general population without incident. I guess she learned her lesson.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)3Hotdogs
(13,363 posts)After the two days separation from the rest of the flock, things have settled down and Major Tso is not attacking the two new hens.