consistent chasing and pecking

[knat]

hi we got 3 chickens about 10 days ago and the one (only layer) pecked the other two it's now got so bad she chases them around all the time. We spoke to the supplier and she said it was probably just her personality and she will ahve her back and we can have another. I'm quite upset because she was my chicken and the only layer (although that may be because the other two were bullied!). Will ahve to do it as I have had to separate them because the other two are squawking really loudly every time she does it.

I'm now not sure whether to get one of the same hybrid or a differnet one? Anyone else had this problem and what do you think I shoudl do about a new one and how to introduce her to the other two?

I read somewhere about seperating the bully so that when you reintroduce her the pecking order will have changed around? ie. when she goes back into the run the others will have been ruling the roost and more confident - whether it works or not I don't know!
there are also things you can put on their beaks to prevent the pecking, not tried them as not sure how cruel they are?
I have 11 at the moment and having just brought a handful of new ones, only have a couple laying so I think they come into lay at different times despite being very close in age.

when we introduced the new birds, I hung up cd's on the run and gave them some pecking treats - big lumps of seed/corn designed for hens to gain the satisfaction of pecking and hopefully leave others alone. you can find them on the domestic fowl trust website.

hopefully you won't have to get rid of any of your girls

thanks - i dont want to use the thing to put on their beaks - doesn't seem right somehow!
We have separated but when she goes back in she just starts all over again!!!!!

We put up a cabbage head for them to peck at which they seem to like - will long for the seed/corn etc aswell. Thanks

I know what you mean about the beak thing - a couple of mine are at the bottom of the pecking order and I always feel sorry for them because they see the 'chief' black rock and maran coming and they scarper from the water and feeder. not got to the stage you are at with pecking though and I really hope that you manage to work it out x

Someone in RL recommended anti pecking spray to me the other day... apparently it smells bad so they don't go near each other and then after a few days they get out of the habit of pecking each other. Well, apparently, anyway because I haven't tried it myself

hi thanks everyone. The lady we had the "offending" chicken from has said she would have her back as it having tried everything (including the spray) she still does it - it's just her personality! So we've had to swap her (which was quite hard!!!) but ended up with an Isa Brown which is lovely and also came away with two others (a Maran and a leghorn bantam)!!! A few days on and they seem to be getting on okay so fingers crossed!!!!