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3Hotdogs

(12,207 posts)
Sat Sep 1, 2018, 10:41 AM Sep 2018

Pet 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?

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Pet Chickens problem. My daughter got into hobby chickens. (Original Post) 3Hotdogs Sep 2018 OP
Rec'd but unable to answer. Corvo Bianco Sep 2018 #1
I prefer the wings! 😋 Floyd R. Turbo Sep 2018 #3
Thanks Floyd Corvo Bianco Sep 2018 #4
Show it a box of cornflakes! Floyd R. Turbo Sep 2018 #2
Throwing in food helps. But that only lasts a couple of minutes. 3Hotdogs Sep 2018 #5
Not a treat but a harbinger of things to come if it doesn't get it's act together! Floyd R. Turbo Sep 2018 #6
Get rid of the roosters if you have any. procon Sep 2018 #7
Two words jberryhill Sep 2018 #8
if roosters... handmade34 Sep 2018 #9
My grandmother would wring its neck and pop it like a towel and be left holding just its head. tonyt53 Sep 2018 #10
Rose Colored Glasses The River Sep 2018 #11
No roosters involved. 3Hotdogs Sep 2018 #12
Any chance you can Bantamfancier Sep 2018 #13
Update. The general was reduced in rank to major. Was then put in solitary confinement in a separate 3Hotdogs Sep 2018 #14
You say "he." Is that one a rooster? Tipperary Sep 2018 #15
Again, all are hens. No roosters. 3Hotdogs Sep 2018 #16

procon

(15,805 posts)
7. Get rid of the roosters if you have any.
Sat Sep 1, 2018, 11:02 AM
Sep 2018

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.

 

tonyt53

(5,737 posts)
10. My grandmother would wring its neck and pop it like a towel and be left holding just its head.
Sat Sep 1, 2018, 11:41 AM
Sep 2018

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)
11. Rose Colored Glasses
Sat Sep 1, 2018, 12:02 PM
Sep 2018

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

Bantamfancier

(363 posts)
13. Any chance you can
Sun Sep 2, 2018, 08:30 AM
Sep 2018

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

(12,207 posts)
14. Update. The general was reduced in rank to major. Was then put in solitary confinement in a separate
Sun Sep 2, 2018, 10:50 AM
Sep 2018

pen. This was from Thursday to Saturday.

This morning, she was returned to general population without incident. I guess she learned her lesson.

3Hotdogs

(12,207 posts)
16. Again, all are hens. No roosters.
Mon Sep 3, 2018, 12:25 AM
Sep 2018

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.

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