Crankkt
Chirping
I have had several instances as of late that with hindsight am realizing may have been caused by the same culprit.
I believe what started it was my rooster, who unfortunately has large comb and wattles, got some frostbite which lead to it bleeding. I found him covered in blood. He was separated for a couple weeks but in an enclosure right next to the hens. When he was pretty healed up I tried putting him back. It was fine for a few hours but first thing in the morning I went out to find the elevator scene from the Shining.
Rooster was seperated again but this time he was away until there was absolutely no signs of trauma. His comb and wattles were smooth and healed nicely. I tried this time for a morning reintroduction to the flock. I watched very closely for a couple hours and felt pretty confident they would be fine. I continued to check every 30 mins or so and in that span of time I found the poor rooster with his wattles pecked raw.
He was removed and my intention was to not subject him to that again. He has been alone now for about 2 weeks and seems fine.
At this point I was thinking that the flock of hens were directing their aggression at the rooster because they had been had gotten positive results.
However, the last 4 days have changed my mind... I found a hen with some blood on the leg that appeared to come from a superficial scratch, hen was removed and put by herself.
Now I am thinking this may be a particular hen doing this. I notice that one of them is occasionally pecking and eating feathers from the others. The following morning a second hen has had her butt pecked bare and she is bloody and bruised. She is separated. This was yesterday. Today a third hen fell victim but unfortunately didn't make it. She was also pecked viciously on her back end while I was at work.
Upon close inspection there is a lavender orpington who is covered in blood. None of the other birds have anything noticeable but the orpington is painted red. Thinking back I had to clean her up when the rooster was attacked. I feel awful but I was thinking the behaviors were driven by opportunity rather than passion.
Due to the avian flu outbreak in the area the flock has been confined to a section of the garage which is 12x14. It housed 10 hens and the rooster.
Does this bird need to be culled? Any hopes in being able to remove this bird and reintroduce? I am now convinced this bird is actively attacking the other birds to draw blood because it got the taste. I am grasping for straws but I am very fond of my birds and feel they are my pets and not livestock. The hen today passed in my arms which was really hard and just looking for some advice.
Many thanks if you read this far
I believe what started it was my rooster, who unfortunately has large comb and wattles, got some frostbite which lead to it bleeding. I found him covered in blood. He was separated for a couple weeks but in an enclosure right next to the hens. When he was pretty healed up I tried putting him back. It was fine for a few hours but first thing in the morning I went out to find the elevator scene from the Shining.
Rooster was seperated again but this time he was away until there was absolutely no signs of trauma. His comb and wattles were smooth and healed nicely. I tried this time for a morning reintroduction to the flock. I watched very closely for a couple hours and felt pretty confident they would be fine. I continued to check every 30 mins or so and in that span of time I found the poor rooster with his wattles pecked raw.
He was removed and my intention was to not subject him to that again. He has been alone now for about 2 weeks and seems fine.
At this point I was thinking that the flock of hens were directing their aggression at the rooster because they had been had gotten positive results.
However, the last 4 days have changed my mind... I found a hen with some blood on the leg that appeared to come from a superficial scratch, hen was removed and put by herself.
Now I am thinking this may be a particular hen doing this. I notice that one of them is occasionally pecking and eating feathers from the others. The following morning a second hen has had her butt pecked bare and she is bloody and bruised. She is separated. This was yesterday. Today a third hen fell victim but unfortunately didn't make it. She was also pecked viciously on her back end while I was at work.
Upon close inspection there is a lavender orpington who is covered in blood. None of the other birds have anything noticeable but the orpington is painted red. Thinking back I had to clean her up when the rooster was attacked. I feel awful but I was thinking the behaviors were driven by opportunity rather than passion.
Due to the avian flu outbreak in the area the flock has been confined to a section of the garage which is 12x14. It housed 10 hens and the rooster.
Does this bird need to be culled? Any hopes in being able to remove this bird and reintroduce? I am now convinced this bird is actively attacking the other birds to draw blood because it got the taste. I am grasping for straws but I am very fond of my birds and feel they are my pets and not livestock. The hen today passed in my arms which was really hard and just looking for some advice.
Many thanks if you read this far
