HELP! My chicken won't stop attacking the new chickens!

[Shay1]

I have a similar problem with a silver laced sebright named Ruff. She still occasionally picks on a 2+foot tall brahma rooster. We got the rooster along with 3 other chickens as chicks when Ruff was a couple months old. At one point she was so mean that we isolated her from all other chickens(where she couldn't even see them) for a few hours and she was nice to the four chicks afterward. So try isolating your mean hen from other chickens for a day in an area where she can't see them and see if that works.

 

[lmagee181]

I have a similar problem with a silver laced sebright named Ruff. She still occasionally picks on a 2+foot tall brahma rooster. We got the rooster along with 3 other chickens as chicks when Ruff was a couple months old. At one point she was so mean that we isolated her from all other chickens(where she couldn't even see them) for a few hours and she was nice to the four chicks afterward. So try isolating your mean hen from other chickens for a day in an area where she can't see them and see if that works.

I will try that too! I was thinking that may be the way to go but I didn't want to make the problem even worse

 

[AbsterliniChicken4]

Maybe when you see the new hen getting pecked, run in and break it up loudly. Then the hens will possibly remember you running in and they won't do it again. Not sure because my girls don't fight to the point of blood.

 

[aart]

How many bird in how much space (coop and run in feet by feet)?
Pics would be a great help.

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.


This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Dana g]

Today when one of the younger girls was in the pen with the bigger ones (she came down from the covered part where she can be safe), she just laid down on the ground and just kept getting pecked. I felt awful! It is so hard to watch and listen to but maybe I just need to let it happen? I don't know if there is no more blood because the older girls haven't been given the chance to go that far since they aren't together for that long

Today when one of the younger girls was in the pen with the bigger ones (she came down from the covered part where she can be safe), she just laid down on the ground and just kept getting pecked. I felt awful! It is so hard to watch and listen to but maybe I just need to let it happen? I don't know if there is no more blood because the older girls haven't been given the chance to go that far since they aren't together for that long

Did it ever resolve? It’s been 7 weeks for me….the top keeps guarding the food and pulls the new hens feathers out. So far there has never been blood.

 

[South Dakota Guy]

Did it ever resolve? It’s been 7 weeks for me….the top keeps guarding the food and pulls the new hens feathers out. So far there has never been blood.

The original post was made in 2017 by someone who only posted 5 messages in that time frame. It isn't likely we will hear back from them. My wife and I went through something similar last year.
Bleeding chickens with no feathers on their rumps. It took a toll on my wife. After about 8 months my wife found a home for the mean girls on a local Facebook group. They say a good rooster will keep peace among the girls but we live in the city and roosters are forbidden.