The Pecking Order Problem: Managing Mean Hens
by Michelle
Published February 13, 2025
Oh, the dreaded mean girl! No, I am not talking about teenagers, but the pecking order wreaking havoc in your chicken coop. The pecking order establishes each chicken’s place in the flock, often based on age, personality, and dominance. While it’s a natural part of chicken behavior, mean girls or aggressive hens can create a stressful environment for the bullied hens, causing a reduction in egg production and other issues. Let‘s discuss some possible reasons for an aggressive hen and how to manage these situations effectively.
1. Stress
Yes, you heard that right. Chickens, like humans, can become stressed too, regardless of their carefree lifestyle. Changes in their environment or routine can trigger aggressive behavior.
Causes of Stress:
- Loss of a flock member.
- Introduction of new birds.
- Changes in feed.
- Predators or rodent disturbances.
Solutions:
- Predator and Rodent Control: Be sure to keep up on predator-proofing the coop as well as rodent control.
- Gradual Introductions: When adding new birds to my flock, I like to split the coop in half with a temporary wall using chicken wire. That way the old and new flock can see each other but not interact just yet. After two weeks, the wall is removed at night and they all mix together in the morning. Expect some squabbles as a new pecking order is established. I have had fewer issues introducing new hens this way.
2. Crowded Spaces
Personal space is just as important for your flock as it is for you. Overcrowding can lead to frustration and aggressive behavior. Crowded feed and water issues can also be problematic. Make sure there is enough room for everyone to get some.
Space Requirements:
- Without an Outdoor Run: For full grown hens with no outdoor run, it is recommended to have a minimum of 8-10 sq ft
- With Outdoor Access: At least 3-4 sq feet per bird inside the coop. I know that may seem excessive, but your flock will thank you for it!
3. Nutrient Deficiencies
A lack of essential nutrients can make chickens irritable.
Solution: Commercial feeds are formulated with all the nutrients your flock needs. You can add supplements to keep your flock healthy. Check them out here Supplements.
4. Illness
Your flock may pick on a bird that is not feeling well.
Solution: To protect everyone, pull the bird in question to quarantine her. Make sure she is kept separate with her own food/water.Monitor her condition before reintroducing her to the flock.
5. Boredom
This is more common in the winter or colder months when birds spend more time inside. Adding some boredom busters or extra protein like the list below can help birds not develop habits like bullying!
Boredom Buster Ideas:
- Dust Bath
- Treat ball
- Old bike tire
- Chicken seed roll
- Homemade treat block
- Chicken Swing
Check out some more ideas: Winter Boredom Busters
6. Individual Temperament
Like people or animals, some hens are just naturally aggressive and it is not breed-specific.
It is important to watch the signs of a bully hen to try and curb her actions. Be sure to use the points above to try and identify the issue before it gets out of hand.
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How long will a hen lay fertile eggs, after loosing the rooster ?
Hi Mike! They can lay fertile eggs for up to 2-3 weeks. The fertility rates will gradually decline over that time, though. The highest likelihood of fertile eggs would be in the first 7-10 days. Good luck! Let us know if you have any other questions!
Thanks for the fast reply. Can a fresh fertile egg survive a few days in a home refrigerator before placing in an incubator ?
Why won’t my 3 Buff Orpington chicks calm down? I ordered and received 3 one-day-old healthy Orpington chicks from you that arrived in great shape all the way to Hawaii. Thank you! However, I got this breed because I was specifically hoping to have some calm, quiet and friendly chickens to have as pets. However, from day one upon opening the box, they nearly popped out with flighty energy and excitement, and have been like that ever since. At first it was welcomed. But as they grow (they are now 4 weeks old), they are still like this, and I don’t know what I can do to calm them down. And no matter what I do when I need to handle them (I use slow movements, soft gentle speech, and handle them gently), they run away from me as if I was a monster coming after them. Am I doing something wrong? Is there anything I can do to change this flighty behavior? They have plenty of space, and I let them out to run around freely on most days. Please help me. I just don’t know what’s happening here, or why. They don’t act at all like the calm friendly ones I see over and over again on Youtube.
Hi Kristen,
Glad to hear they made it safely to Hawaii! Often they just need time to mature and grow. I would try sitting quietly with them and offering treats – allowing them to come to you. I would avoid picking them up for a week or two, give them some time to adjust to your presence without them being stressed about being held. Hope this helps!